Chris Ashton bite row could leave England winger’s career in tatters after being charged with two chomps in a minute
Ashton, 29, would face a minimum of 12 weeks out while he could get a four-year ban if found guilty of biting Alex Waller
CHRIS ASHTON'S career is hanging in the balance after being charged with TWO biting incidents within 60 seconds of each other.
If found guilty at tonight's hearing the England winger faces a minimum 12 weeks out for just one charge - with the maximum ban for each chomp set at FOUR years.
The RFU can chose to deliver the punishment as they see fit - meaning he could face anywhere upwards from 24 weeks out if guilty of both offences at the bottom end of the punishment scale.
That would see him out until at least March - missing the defence of Sarries' European Cup title and the majority of the Premiership season.
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Biting is on a par with testicle grabbing and also gouging, for which Ashton was banned for 10 weeks in January.
Video replays of Saracens' 27-12 win over Northampton Saints on Saturday appear to show the Sarries flyer sinking his teeth into the hand of Northampton Saints prop Alex Waller in the 24th minute of their bitter grudge match.
Seconds later Ashton and Waller clash again with the Saints forward holding up two fingers up to complain to the ref with another accusation of biting.
Ashton, 29, was unlikely to add to his 39 England caps this autumn after refusing to go on the Saxons tour to South Africa this summer.
And although he is in serious danger of turning into rugby's own version of Luis Suarez - World Cup winner Will Greenwood compared him to Mario Balotelli.