Sale's Hill gets 10-week ban for Bath fan incident

England forward Jonny Hill has been given a 10-week suspension following an incident involving a fan after Sale's Premiership semi-final defeat by Bath in June.

A 28-year-old man complained that he was left with a cut above his eye following the altercation.

Hill's club Sale and Avon and Somerset Police both said they were investigating the incident at the time.

The 30-year-old's ban has been backdated, with four of the weeks suspended until next season, meaning he will be eligible for selection from 7 December.

He appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Monday for a breach of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and accepted the charge brought against him.

"The panel concluded the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension from playing," Philip Evans KC, chair of the independent panel, said.

"They also found the circumstances of this case to be exceptional and as a consequence, and because of the substantial mitigation available to Jonny Hill, that starting point was reduced to 10 weeks, four of which will be suspended until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

"In addition he is required to give a presentation to young players at the club which is to be recorded and provided to the RFU (Rugby Football Union)."

England international Hill has not played since January due to a season-ending patella tendon injury sustained following their Champions Cup loss to La Rochelle, and watched Sale's semi-final defeat from the stands at the Recreation Ground.

Sale sit eighth in the Premiership table, having won three of their six games so far this season.