Statement: England star handed lengthy ban for punch

The England international was given his marching orders after he struck Cherry and White hooker Jack Innard's head with an open hand.

Roots has been handed a three-match ban, which sees him miss a key run of games for the Devon club. Exeter head to Belfast this weekend, for a high-stakes EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Ulster at the Affidea Stadium. Understandably, Roots will play no part in the last-four tie, which will determine if the Chiefs will go on to Bilbao to face either the Dragons or Montpellier in the final.

Roots left Jack Innard with a concussion following the open handed strike, as the back row immediatly admitted fault and owned up to the ban. The ban has been reduced from six games, given Roots clean record at the top level, the initial guilty plea and cooperation with the RFU. After the Challenge Cup match against Ulster, Roots will also miss Exeter's important PREM Rugby matches against Bath and Harlequins, that could determine whether Rob Baxter's side will qualify for the play-offs this season.

Roots admitted that he was incredibly remorseful for the action, and even stated how Innard is a friend of his in his disciplinary hearing. Nonetheless, Roots will now take a seat on the side-lines and can only watch the next three matches, that could well decide how the 2025/26 season is remembered in Devon.