European Champions Cup: Exeter lock Mitch Lees cleared of head striking charge

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Image caption, Exeter lock Mitch Lees can play in the Premiership encounter against Northampton on Saturday

Exeter Chiefs lock Mitch Lees has been cleared of a striking charge after Saturday's European Champions Cup defeat by Leinster.

Lees, 29, pleaded not guilty after he was cited for striking the head of opponent Cian Healy with his head.

The panel decided that the offence did not merit a red card and Lees is free to play at Northampton on Saturday.

England and Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi was also cleared of a dangerous tackle charge by the panel.

Tuilagi, 26, avoided a ban following his first appearance since a knee injury on the Premiership's opening weekend.

Meanwhile, Leinster prop Healy received a three-week ban for reckless use of a forearm in the same game.

Punishments for foul play have a low end punishment of two weeks and go up to a maximum 52 weeks in the worst scenarios.