Wednesday 20 January 2016 13:53, UK
Chris Ashton will find out later today if he will miss the Six Nations - and possibly the rest of the season - for an alleged eye-gouging offence.
Saracens winger Ashton - named in the England squad for the first time in three years by coach Eddie Jones last week - was cited for allegedly making contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during Saturday's Champions Cup match.
Saracens won the game 33-17 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The minimum period of suspension for such an offence is 12 weeks, which would rule out Ashton, should he be found guilty, for the entire Six Nations.
The tournament runs from February 6 until March 19.
A longer offence could see him miss the rest of Saracens' season too.
"EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Saracens wing, Chris Ashton (No 14), following the European Rugby Champions Cup Round 5 match against Ulster Rugby on Saturday, 16 January 2016," read a statement from ERC.
"Ashton is alleged to have made contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of the Ulster centre, Luke Marshall (No 13), in the 16th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m). The complaint was by the match Citing Commissioner, Yves Thieffine (France).
"Jean-Noel Couraud (France) has been appointed as the independent Judicial Officer for the disciplinary hearing which will take place in London on Wednesday 20 January 2016."
Ashton has been widely backed to make the starting line-up for Jones' first game in charge against Scotland.
