World Rugby seek Marler explanation from Six Nations

World Rugby has asked Six Nations organisers to explain why England prop Joe Marler was not punished for abusing Wales' Samson Lee at Twickenham last weekend.

Marler was cleared to play his part in England's final game of the Six Nations against France on Saturday after it was decided that no further action would be taken for an incident in which he called Wales prop Lee 'gypsy boy".

Harlequins man Marler apologised to Lee??at half-time in a 25-21 victory for England and Wales head coach Warren Gatland dismissed the comment as "banter".

But Gatland then issued an apology for playing down Marler's insult??and the??Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) expressed surprise over Six Nations Rugby's??verdict.

England head coach Eddie Jones reacted by stating that the WRU are merely trying to unsettle Six Nations champions??England as they prepare to try and complete the Grand Slam in Paris, where Marler will start on the bench.

Yet the matter is not closed as the world governing body has now weighed in.

A World Rugby statement said: "World Rugby notes the outcome of Six Nations Rugby's investigation into comments made by England's Joe Marler towards Wales'??Samson Lee during the RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham on 12 March, 2016. ?? "World Rugby Law 10.4(m) and Regulations 17 (Discipline) and 20 (Misconduct / Code of Conduct) deal with verbal abuse of players. ?? "World Rugby can confirm that,??in accordance with its regulations, it has requested further information from Six Nations Rugby (the tournament organiser??of the RBS 6 Nations Championship) in respect of the process that led to its decision."