Punching Tuilagi banned 5 weeks

England prospect Manu Tuilagi was suspended on his 20th birthday on Wednesday for five weeks for punching in the English Premiership semifinals, putting a dent in his Rugby World Cup hopes.

Tuilagi pleaded guilty at an English Rugby Football Union judiciary to whacking Northampton winger Chris Ashton three times, the last of which cut the England star above the left eye last weekend.

Leicester center Tuilagi will miss the Premiership final against Saracens on May 28, and the England Saxons’ Churchill Cup campaign next month.

He was banned to June 23, but it could have been worse.

RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett said Tuilagi was worthy of a 10-week suspension, describing his actions as “very damaging to the image of the game.”

But it was halved because of his youth, admission of guilt, remorse, and because he was considered to have been provoked by Ashton.

Ashton’s push and knee in the back, however, was a reaction to an off-the-ball tackle from Tuilagi. Both were yellow-carded.

Tuilagi’s strong season in Leicester’s midfield tagged him as an outside chance for international honors in the footsteps of his four brothers, who all represented Samoa. England manager Martin Johnson will name his World Cup training squad before the end of Tuilagi’s suspension.