Exeter confirm that banned Dave Ewers was due for England summer series call-up

It has emerged that the four-game ban handed down to Exeter back-rower Dave Ewers last Wednesday following a disciplinary hearing has cost the uncapped forward a rare call-up by England for their summer series fixtures.

When the ban was originally given, it was thought that it would result in Ewers missing Exeter matches at the start of next season as his club had just the possibility of two games remaining this season, this Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership semi-final versus Sale and potentially the following week’s final if the Chiefs qualified. 

However, an update has now been applied to the sanction regarding Ewers on the disciplinary section of the RFU website. It read: “Exeter Chiefs have provided evidence to the RFU and the panel that the player would have been selected for England’s summer series. 

Jamie Roberts and Simon Zebo star on the latest RugbyPass Offload

Jamie Roberts and Simon Zebo star on the latest RugbyPass Offload

“The dates of suspension are therefore amended as follows: June 19 – Premiership semi-final; June 26 – Premiership final or June 27 – vs Scotland A for England A; July 4 – England vs the USA; July 10: England vs Canada.” 

A Premiership player of the year nominee whose impressive form this season ensured he featured on the six-strong shortlist for an award ultimately won by Sam Simmonds, Ewers had previously been involved years ago at England Saxons level but the uncapped Harare-born player hadn’t figured into the Test fold under Eddie Jones since spring 2016

"I’m struggling with the whole process"

– It's rare for Rob Baxter to get upset but that is how the Exeter boss was at Wednesday's Premiership semi-final media briefing #EXEvSALhttps://t.co/0C5g9ZV3Az

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 16, 2021

Ewers was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Sale’s Simon Hammersley’s in last Saturday round 22 match at Sandy Park and was subsequently cited by commissioner Paul Hull, who felt the tackle met the red card threshold. That opinion of Hull’s was upheld at the resulting disciplinary hearing and it has led to Ewers missing out on Exeter’s Premiership title bid and an England call-up.

Fellow Exeter forward Sam Skinner was also banned for four games for his red card in the same match versus Sale, a sanction that covers the conclusion to the Chiefs season and Scotland’s summer series of internationals.   

TEAM NEWS:

The player tipped to start at No15 for the Lions can only make the Exeter bench five weeks out from the start of the Test series versus the Springboks #EXEvSAL #LionsRugby
https://t.co/IvtN5DpcPq

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 18, 2021