Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been banned for six weeks for biting Harlequins prop Will Hobson.

The incident occurred in the 69th minute of Sale’s Champions Cup last-16 win against Quins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Law 9.12 states a player “must not physically abuse anyone” and “physical abuse involves biting”.

Jibulu could have been banned for 12 weeks but had his penalty halved.

A disciplinary panel statement said: “Taking into account his guilty plea, timely expression of remorse, his young age and inexperience and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50%, before imposing a six-week suspension.”

A Sale club statement, external added: “Nathan admitted the offence and both the club and player agree that his actions were unacceptable.

“The club will be conducting its own internal disciplinary process but we will continue to fully support Nathan through what has been, and will be, a difficult period.”

Sale travel to Leinster for the Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday (17:30 BST) after the Dubliners won a 49-31 thriller against Edinburgh.

The Sharks are already without front-row pair Bevan Rodd, who dislocated his shoulder, and Luke Cowan-Dickie, with a suspected broken wrist or forearm, after both went off during the Quins match.

The injuries have also jeopardised their participation in England’s summer tour.