England prop Joe Marler has been cited for interfering with the groin of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.
The incident occurred eight-minutes into England's 33-30 victory at Twickenham on Saturday, but was missed by match referee Ben O'Keefe and the TMO.
However, citing commissioner Peter Ferguson has taken action, and Marler must appear in front of a disciplinary panel in Dublin on Thursday.
Marler's England teammate Courtney Lawes has also been cited for a dangerous tackle - also on Jones - and will also have his case heard in Dublin this week.
A Six Nations statement says, "Joe Marler has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.27 (A Player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship – Hair pulling or grabbing; Spitting at anyone; Grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals (and/or breasts in the case of female players) during the Guinness Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday."
🏉 Alun Wyn Jones on the Marler incident pic.twitter.com/YleT7Cw1VL
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 7, 2020
Marler could face a ban of anything from 12 to 208 weeks for the incident.
Some point towards the fact that the Harlequins players actions are tantamount to sexual assault in any other sphere of society. However, it appears Marler doesn't view his groin-grabbing with the same severe lens.
In a brief Twitter post on Sunday, Marler simply wrote, "Bollocks. Utter bollocks."
Bollocks. Complete bollocks.
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) March 8, 2020
Regarding Lawes' citing, the Six Nations state, "The England No. 6 Courtney Lawes has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
"Dangerous tackling includes but is not limited to tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders) during the Guinness Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday"
Thursday's disciplinary hearings will be heavily weighted with England players, with Manu Tuilagi also set to hear of the ramifications for his red card tackle on Wales winger George North in Saturday's game.
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