Ted Hill and Dan Kelly: Worcester captain and Leicester centre given three-match bans

Ted Hill has won two caps for England, the most recent against the United States in July

Worcester and England flanker Ted Hill and Leicester centre Dan Kelly have been given three-match bans following disciplinary hearings.

Warriors skipper Hill, 22, was sent off for a tip tackle during their home defeat by Gloucester last weekend.

Kelly, 20, admitted "striking with the shoulder" in added time in their dramatic 13-12 win over Saracens.

The incident happened with Saracens 12-6 ahead, when Kelly tackled Aled Davies, who was already on the ground.

Hill was dismissed following his tackle on Gloucester's Lloyd Evans in the 75th minute at Sixways and will miss Worcester's visit to Exeter Chiefs this weekend, plus the following games against Leicester and Northampton.

Head coach Jonathan Thomas said Hill had a fair hearing, but he believes World Rugby should look at the rules which do not allow for mitigation in cases of alleged tip tackles.

"We don't have an issue with the process we went through," Thomas told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"We have an issue with the framework around that particular law. And I think it's something that needs looking at from World Rugby.

"I find it astonishing that a player is going to get a three-game ban for essentially getting kicked in the neck. I don't think that's fair on Ted."

Worcester will also be without Owen Williams and Melani Nanai against Exeter because of hamstring injuries.

Wales international Williams, playing only his third game for the club, "will be out for some time" after slipping in the wet conditions taking a kick at goal against his former club on Saturday - and had to be taken off.

The match referee did not have a clear view of Kelly's tackle but the disciplinary panel said he accepted it had "merited a red card".

Former Ireland Under-20 international Dan Kelly joined Leicester from Loughborough University in 2020

Kelly, 20, has started all three Premiership games for Tigers so far this season, having made 17 appearances in 2020-21.

The club have applied for him to take part in the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention Programme which is "aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contribute to the foul play".

If he completes the programme, he would only have to serve a two-match ban instead.