England winger Ashton loses appeal against 10-week ban

LONDON (Reuters) - England winger Chris Ashton has lost his appeal against a 10-week ban for eye-gouging that has ruled him out of the Six Nations championship, European Professional Club Rugby said on Thursday. The 28-year-old Saracens player, recalled to the England squad for the first time in 18 months, was suspended for making contact with the eyes of Ulster's Luke Marshall during a European Champions Cup match on Jan. 16. Ashton pleaded not guilty at a hearing last week and had appealed against the severity of the punishment. But an Independent Appeal Committee upheld the ban on Thursday, meaning Ashton cannot play again until March 28. (Reporting by Justin Palmer; Editing by Tony Jimenez)