Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi has been cited for punching Northampton and England winger Chris Ashton on Saturday.
Centre set to miss Aviva Premiership final against Saracens
The Rugby Football Union has cited Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi for punching Northampton's Chris Ashton on Saturday.
Tuilagi responded to a push in the back from Ashton with a three-punch combination that left the England winger with a cut above his left eye.
Both Ashton and Tuilagi were yellow carded by match referee Wayne Barnes after the incident in the Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final at Welford Road, a game the Tigers went on to win 11-3.
Tuilagi will now face an RFU disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday, the day of his 20th birthday, with the very real prospect of being banned for the Premiership final at Twickenham against Saracens.
He could be suspended for anything from between two weeks to 11 or more, depending on the punishment he receives from a three-man RFU panel.
England blow
Along with possibly missing out on the Premiership final, Tuilagi's chances of playing in England Saxons' Churchill Cup campaign next month could also be limited and that in turn could deny him any chance of breaking into Martin Johnson's World Cup squad.
Tuilagi's actions were witnessed from the Welford Road stands by England manager Johnson, red rose forwards coach John Wells and scrimmaging specialist Graham Rowntree.
Tuilagi, the younger brother of Tigers wing Alesana, has been tipped for a glittering future in the game and is seen as one of England's brightest midfield prospects.
Although currently uncapped, it is viewed as only a matter of time before he gains a place in England's midfield, possibly before this year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Tuilagi's case, though, would not be helped by him missing the Churchill Cup, which offers a chance for fringe players to put themselves forward as Johnson begins formulating his plans for the upcoming tournament.
Tuilagi starred for the Saxons earlier this season, scoring a try when they crushed Italy A 45-17 in Worcester.
He would also be a huge loss for Leicester when they bid to secure an eighth Premiership title on Saturday week, facing Saracens in a repeat of last season's final that Tigers won 33-27.
