Gloucester's Clark and Thorley handed three-game bans

Gloucester duo Arthur Clark and Ollie Thorley have both been given three-match bans following disciplinary incidents during their defeat by Newcastle Red Bulls.

Lock Clark was given the suspension for striking opposite number Jamie Hodgson with a forearm to the head, which the Cherry and Whites' vice captain said was in reaction to being hit first.

Both players were sent to the sin bin early in the first half, with the incident leading to a melee between the teams.

Winger Thorley was shown a 20-minute red card in the 47th minute for a high tackle on Alex Hearle during a kick-chase.

His ban will be reduced by one game if he completes World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme (CIP).

Clark and Thorley will both be unavailable for the Champions Cup games away at Edinburgh on Friday and at home to Toulon on 17 January, as well as the Prem game at home to Bath on 23 January (Thorley subject to completing CIP).

Clark had only returned from a period out injured for Gloucester in mid-December, starting their past three games.

Thorley scored a try in the loss to Newcastle before his red card, one of three in 11 games so far this campaign.

Gloucester have just one win all season in the Prem and are second bottom, above Newcastle by virtue of four bonus points.