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Rugby Union

Bristol suspend Hobson

05/03/2007

Bristol Rugby have suspended tight-head prop Jason Hobson after an incident during yesterday's Guinness Premiership match against Wasps.

Hobson was involved in an off-the-ball clash with England skipper Phil Vickery.

Although there was no action taken by the match officials, Hobson's club held a disciplinary hearing this morning after viewing a video of the game.

The forward will now be suspended for two weeks.

"Hobson was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Phil Vickery of London Wasps midway through the second half which left Vickery unable to continue," Bristol said in a statement.

"The incident went undetected by the match officials but, following a review of the match video on Monday morning, the Bristol Rugby management team convened a disciplinary hearing and suspended Hobson for two weeks with immediate effect."

Vickery suffered a concussion as a result of his clash with Hobson and is now rated as doubtful for England's Six Nations match against France on Sunday.

He will undergo medical treatment over the next two days and, while he will hope to recover in time to lead the world champions out at Twickenham, the experienced prop will add to coach Brian Ashton's injury worries.

Ashton is likely to be without wing Jason Robinson who is still struggling with the neck problem that ruled him out of England's defeat to Ireland last weekend.

Centre Andy Farrell missed Saracens' win over Robinson's club Sale yesterday, but is expected to be fit, while Jonny Wilkinson failed to finish for Newcastle after suffering cramp.

England go into the France game looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Ireland.

Les Bleus are the only team in the tournament yet to lose, meaning the Irish will be hoping Ashton's men can do them a favour by securing an unlikely win and helping them to the title.

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