Saints ban Cohen after third yellow

Northampton slapped a one-match ban on Ben Cohen yesterday, ruling their England wing out of tonight's Premiership match at Gloucester.

In imposing their own action on the player as punishment for collecting three yellow cards, the European Cup holders merely beat the RFU to the punch.

Under their rules, three cautions during any 12-month period carries an automatic one- match suspension.

By sitting out tonight's match, Cohen will be available for Wasps ' visit to Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

'We felt we had no alternative but to punish the player, ' said Saints' rugby director John Steele.

'It's unfortunate because it means we'll be missing a very good player in a very tough game.

'Hopefully, it will be an example to the rest. I'm proud of our disciplinary record and don't expect these circumstances to arise often.'

Eric Peters will start a Premiership match today for the first time since breaking a kneecap 20 months ago.

After two appearances as a substitute for Harlequins, Scotland's courageous No.8 wins a place for this afternoon's match against Saracens at The Stoop.