Statement: Saracens star handed four-match ban

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Michelow made unwanted history as he became the first player to receive the Premiership’s new ‘20-minute red card’, shown inside just two minutes of the 39-17 victory at StoneX Stadium. The dismissal came after a tip tackle on Falcons prop George McGuigan.

Under the league’s new trial law, the red-carded player can be replaced by a teammate after 20 minutes — but Michelow still faced a disciplinary hearing for the offence.

The 21-year-old denied the charge of lifting and/or dropping an opponent dangerously during an independent panel on 1 October. However, while the panel upheld the charge, they accepted Michelow had not intended to commit foul play.

Michelow has already served one game of his suspension — the win over Bristol Bears last weekend — and will also sit out upcoming fixtures against Harlequins (12 Oct), Sale Sharks (18 Oct), and Northampton Saints (24 Oct).

The young back-rower, who has made 30 appearances for Saracens and previously captained England U20s, will next be eligible to play when the Premiership resumes after the international break — for the Bath clash on 30 November.