Pape cited for knee-strike

France lock Pascal Pape will appear before a Disciplinary Committee "later this week" following his yellow card in last Saturday's Six Nations defeat against Ireland.

The 34-year-old Frenchman has been cited for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in the back, leaving the Ireland forward to limp off as Pape was sent to the sin-bin by referee Wayne Barnes.

Reports on Sunday suggested Heaslip had suffered a suspected broken vertebra, but Les Bleus coach Philippe Saint-Andre claimed Pape's ugly challenge was an accident.

"When you watch the images of the incident I don't think you can say it was deliberate," said Saint-Andre.

Pape's kneeing falls under article 10.4(a) which stipulates "a player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s)".

He will face three independent judges "later this week" and the Stade Francais lock could be suspended for up to 52 weeks, although the usual punishment is an eight-week ban.

Pape's presence against Wales in France's next Six Nations match on February 28 is now very unlikely.

Agence France-Presse