Northampton forward Calum Clark has been slapped with a 32-week ban by the English Rugby Football Union after breaking an opponent's elbow in a ruck.
Clark, a member of England's elite squad who has yet to play for the team, was banned by until Thursday to Nov. 1, one of the longest bans in the history of English pro rugby.
Clark was captain of Northampton in the LV Cup final, after which he was cited for hyperextending the right arm of Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins, breaking his elbow and sidelining him for the season.
Hawkins required surgery after breaking his elbow in the incident - ruling him out of the rest of the rugby season.
Northampton immediately handed an indefinite suspension to Clark, a former England Under-20 captain.
