THE Glasgow flanker Ryan Wilson has escaped suspension after being accused of grabbing the testicles of Northampton scrum-half Lee Dickson.
Scotland back-rower Wilson had a citing complaint against him dismissed by European officials in a disciplinary hearing in London.
Wilson, overlooked for Scotland's RBS 6 Nations campaign by head coach Vern Cotter, was cited for the alleged offence in Northampton's 19-15 European Champions Cup victory over Glasgow on Sunday.
The 26-year-old is now free to return to action for both club and country, if required, given he could yet feature in Scotland's Six Nations campaign despite missing initial selection.
Wilson pleaded not guilty to the offence, with independent judicial officer Simon Thomas effectively throwing out the case.
"As the judicial officer was not satisfied to the required standard that the act of foul play as alleged had been committed, the citing complaint was dismissed and Wilson is therefore free to play," read a statement from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).
However, the Glasgow and Scotland lock Tim Swinson was given a one-week ban for punching Northampton hooker Mikey Haywood in Sunday's Champions Cup match.
Swinson was sin-binned for the incident, and pleaded guilty to the offence in Wednesday's disciplinary hearing in London.
Thomas deemed the offence worthy of a red card, and imposed a suspension of two weeks that was then halved due to the guilty plea, Swinson's remorse and clean disciplinary record.
Swinson is free to play from Monday, January 25, allowing the 28-year-old to take full part in Scotland's Six Nations campaign.
On a day of mixed news for Glasgow, the centre Richie Vernon underwent shoulder surgery and faces a battle to return to action before the end of the season.
The Scotland international was omitted from the Six Nations squad because of the injury, which he suffered in a European Champions Cup defeat by Northampton on November 21.
A Warriors statement read: "Following an MRI scan at BMI Ross Hall Hospital, Richie Vernon has undergone shoulder surgery. The centre is expected to be out of action for an extended period of time and will hopefully return before the end of the season."
Meanwhile, the Saracens winger Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England's entire Six Nations campaign after being handed a 10-week suspension.
Ashton, who won the last of his 39 England caps in New Zealand more than 18 months ago, has been widely backed to make the starting line-up for new coach Eddie Jones' first game - the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield - in charge.
But Ashton has been banned from playing until March 28 following an independent disciplinary hearing in London yesterday.
Ashton, who pleaded not guilty to making contact with the eye of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during Saturday's European Champions Cup tie, has the right to appeal the decision.
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