Deserved?

England and Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Munster’s Chris Cloete during their Champions Cup pool fixture at Welford Road on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred immediately after Cloete raced back to recover the ball from a kick through by winger Jonny May. Cloete showed incredible pace to get back and save a certain try, but was hit hard by Tuilagi as he got back up.

An EPCR statement read:

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Leicester Tigers centre, Manu Tuilagi (No 13), following his club’s Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Munster Rugby at Welford Road on Sunday, 17 December 2017.

Tuilagi is alleged to have tackled the Munster Rugby flanker, Chris Cloete (No 7), dangerously in the 49th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (e).

The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Jeff Mark (Wales).

Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Roger Morris (Wales) and Nigel Williams (Wales) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place in London tomorrow (Wednesday, 20 December).

Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (e) carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

Tuilagi has only just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off. A ban would be a huge blow for the centre who finally looks to have got himself fit.