The decision by the disciplinary committee to reduce the sanction for a low-end offence from four to two weeks without any explanation came under fire, with sources suggesting that European Professional Club Rugby, the tournament organiser, was contemplating appealing against the decision.

However, the written judgment of the hearing in London reveals that the disciplinary hearing took into account the fact that Marler had been provoked, both verbally and physically, in the lead-up to the offence, to “wind him up”.

Richard Smith, who represented Marler, told the hearing that the 25-year-old “from the start of the match … had been subjected to the foulest of verbal abuse and references of a personal nature”. Marler had also become “frustrated” when Héguy tackled him off the ball.