Falcons centre banned for two weeks

Socino appeared before an RFU disciplinary panel on Thursday.

Independent Citing Commissioner Peter Larter cited Socino for striking the head of Exeter Chiefs' Ian Whitton with his arm contrary to law 10.4(a).

The incident occurred in the first minute of the second half of the Premiership match where his side had to settle for a 24-34 defeat to Exeter Chief on Saturday, October 7.

Socino was found guilty by the panel.

He was given a two-week suspension and is free to play again on October 24 which means he will miss two European games against Newport-Gwent Dragons and Bordeaux Begles.

The chairman of the panel Antony Davies said: "The panel found this was a reckless act in which the player made contact with the opposition player's jaw with his forearm.

"In line with the new sanction table, this mandates a mid-range entry point . Thereafter the panel gave full credit for the player's previous record, his good character (displayed both on-field in remaining with the injured player and at the hearing) and reduced the ban to two weeks,"

The panel was comprised of Antony Davies (chairman) with Martyn Wood and John Greenwood.