Rugby-Leicester's Ashton cleared to play semi-final after red card overturned

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Premiership - Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs - Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Britain - April 16, 2023 Leicester Tigers' Chris Ashton at the end of the match Action Images/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

(Reuters) - The Premiership's record try-scorer Chris Ashton has been cleared to play in Leicester Tigers' semi-final against Sale Sharks after an independent disciplinary panel downgraded his red card for a dangerous tackle to a yellow on Thursday.

Ashton, who last month became the first player to score 100 tries in the English Premiership, was shown a red card for a high tackle on Harlequins' Cadan Murley in Leicester's 20-17 defeat on Saturday.