WORCESTER Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas has been left “astonished” by World Rugby following the three-match ban handed to his captain Ted Hill.

The Worcester skipper was sent off during the 31-23 defeat at home to Gloucester last weekend for a tip tackle on Lloyd Evans.

Replays showed Evans made contact with his foot into the neck area of Hill as the incident happened and Thomas was left amazed that wasn’t taken into account.

"I do not have an issue with the process we went through at the hearing,” he said.

"The issue I have is the framework itself.

"Ted didn't do anything wrong. In terms of his kick chase he controlled himself, he was in a balanced position, slowed his feet before the contact. He was bent at the hips, which is what they're looking for, he was looking at the midriff of the tackler.

"At the point he went to make the tackle, the players leg was raised and hit him in the neck.

"So the reason why we were in the hearing and why all of this panned out is because of the opposition player, not Ted.

"The opposing player (Lloyd Evans) lifted his leg into Ted’s neck.

"The first thing that Ted went to grab, which he couldn’t see because he’d been kicked in the neck, was the leg and if that hadn’t been there, it would have been the ribs, which is fine.

"The referee said the player was off balance, but I don’t think he was. He had one foot on the floor and brought his leg up and kicked up at Ted’s neck area.

"If there is a high tackle, within the framework, there’s mitigation, with the tip, there is no mitigation within the framework.

"So, for what was a complete freak accident, you could argue that the opposing player was reckless and we have seen around the world players sent off for that."

Thomas says that changes need to be made to the current framework around the tip-tackle.

"I find it amazing we are going to lose our captain for three games," he said.

"At the point he went to make the tackle, the players leg was raised and hit him in the neck.

"Ted lost his bearings at that point - he got a bit disorientated, he didn’t know what he was doing and the opposition player caused that by kicking him.

"World Rugby need to look at it cause it’s not fair on Ted.”

Hill will miss the next three games for Worcester: Exeter Chiefs on the road this weekend, Leicester Tigers at Sixways next weekend and Northampton Saints away later this month.

The ban comes at an unfortunate time for Hill, with the next England squad being announced later this month.

The Warriors man played for his country in the summer against USA and was training with Eddie Jones' side last week.