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Conor O'Shea wants consistency from World Rugby following Joe Marler ban
ESPN Staff
April 7, 2016
© AFP / BEN STANSALL

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea has told World Rugby he would be "incredibly disappointed" if Joe Marler's fine and ban became an exception rather than the rule.

Marler was handed a £20,000 fine and two-match suspension on Tuesday following a World Rugby hearing into his "gypsy boy" comments to Wales prop Samson Lee.

The England prop apologised to Lee during half-time of last month's Twickenham clash and was initially cleared by a Six Nations disciplinary hearing before the game's governing body intervened amid criticism of the ruling.

"It is an incredibly heavy fine. Joe held his hand up from minute one and apologised. No way is he a racist and I hope people understand that," O'Shea said.

"All we can look for is consistency, then you will take it. But if it is a one-off and other things are swept under the carpet, then you will be incredibly disappointed.

"Joe will move on and have our support. While we don't condone it, we do understand the context and apology he gave, which was accepted."

Six Nations officials are set to investigate their own disciplinary procedures following the saga.

© ESPN Staff

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