Wasps flanker James Haskell will be unavailable for England’s first two NatWest 6 Nations games after receiving a four-week ban.

Haskell, who has won 75 caps, was sent off following a dangerous tackle on Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts during Wasps’ European Champions Cup defeat last Sunday and is now sidelined until February 12.

Tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby convened a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday and announced a four-week suspension for the 32-year-old. England face Italy on February 4 and Wales six days later.

England head coach Eddie Jones is due to announce his Six Nations squad on Thursday, with Haskell among the candidates to make that group.

Haskell was dismissed by French referee Romain Poite following the 76th-minute incident at Twickenham Stoop.

Wales international Roberts left the pitch with an apology from Haskell that the Wasps star later repeated on Twitter.

In a statement, EPCR said: “An independent disciplinary committee consisting of Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Becky Essex (England), heard evidence and submissions from Haskell, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from legal representative, Richard Smith QC, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

“The Wasps head of recruitment, Kevin Harman, was also present.

“The committee upheld the red card decision, and as the tackle made contact with the head of the opposing player, it was obliged to find that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was therefore selected as the appropriate entry point.

James Haskell (David Davies/PA)
James Haskell will miss the first two matches of the Six Nations (David Davies/PA)

“Taking into account the player’s good disciplinary record, his guilty plea and early expression of remorse, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks before imposing a suspension of four weeks.

“Haskell is free to play on Monday, 12 February 2018, and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”

Haskell will also miss Wasps’ final Champions Cup pool game against Ulster in Coventry on Sunday.

And Jones must now decide whether or not to include the experienced campaigner in his squad. Haskell last appeared for England during the 2017 Six Nations finale against Ireland 10 months ago.