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Marcos Ayerza will miss Leicester's trip to Dublin this weekend. David Davies/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Heineken Cup

Rocky road to Dublin for Tigers as banned Ayerza to miss Leinster showdown

Argentinean international handed two-week suspension after red card for head-butting Joe Marler.

LEICESTER TIGERS STAR Marcos Ayerza will miss his side’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Leinster this weekend.

The prop won’t make the trip to Dublin after being banned for two weeks following his sending off at Harlequins on Sunday.

The Argentinean international was dismissed during the second half of of the Tigers’ 17-13 away win over Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finalists Harlequins for an alleged head-butt on fellow prop Joe Marler.

Marler’s violent reaction also earned him a red card. Both players pleaded guilty to to striking an opponent at a hearing earlier and were issued with two-week suspensions.

Here’s the incident; judge for yourself:

Leinster welcome the Premiership side to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night of course.

HH Judge Blackett explained the decision to hit the duo with a fortnight’s ban each: ”This was unacceptable behaviour which was captured on live television and not something we want to see in our game.

That said, both offences were deemed to have a low end entry point for sanction.”

“The starting point for Ayerza striking with the head was four weeks, reduced to two for his guilty plea and relatively good record. Marler’s sanction did not alter from the two-week entry point because, despite his guilty plea, his previous disciplinary record counted against him.”