Rugby: England's Ashton to appeal suspension

England winger Chris Ashton will appeal against a 10-week ban for eye-gouging that would rule him out of this year's Six Nations campaign, the BBC reported.

The 28-year-old Saracens player, recalled to the England squad for the first time in 18 months, was cited for making contact with the eyes of Ulster's Luke Marshall during a European Champions Cup match.

Ashton pleaded not guilty at a hearing last week and is appealing against the severity of the punishment.

England begin their Six Nations campaign in Scotland on February 6.