Wasps forward Hughes hit with three-week ban for North incident

George North was stretchered off after Hughes's knee made contact with his head (picture: Sharon Lucey)

Hughes attended an RFU disciplinary hearing in London on Tuesday night and was found guilty of striking with the knee and/or shin, meaning he will not be free to play again until April 28.

However, disciplinary panel chair Sir James Dingemans did acknowledge that there was no intent from Hughes, who was dismissed by referee Craig Maxwell-Keys after making contact with the head of North following the Wales star’s second try in the 35th minute of Saints’ 52-30 victory.

Dingemans said: “This was a three-week ban on the basis that no intention was found. However, there was recklessness meaning that, notwithstanding the harm, it was a low entry point of four weeks with mitigation of one week to reflect his previous clean playing record.”

Meanwhile, North, who had tweeted that he was ‘feeling ok’ and is ‘up and about’, will see a specialist this week to find out the extent of his injury.

The 22-year-old is expected to miss Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final at Clermont Auvergne.