Vunipola facing foul play charge

Saracens back row forward Billy Vunipola is to face a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel, after being accused of foul play during last weekend's English Premiership win over Leicester.


The RFU, in a statement issued Monday, said the England international had been cited for striking Leicester's Mathew Tait with his head during Sarries' 22-6 win at Allianz Park, a match in which Vunipola scored a try.


If found guilty by a disciplinary hearing he could be ruled out of Saracens' European Champions Cup semifinal encounter with Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.


Vunipola will appear before a RFU disciplinary panel on Wednesday.


The RFU statement said the panel would "review the offence of striking Mathew Tait with the head, contrary to Law 10.4 (a), or, in the alternative, charging into a ruck, contrary to Law 10.4 (h)."


The panel will also consider the case of Leicester centre Vereniki Goneva, cited for striking Saracens' Kelly Brown with his forearm in the same match, but the player has chosen not to attend the hearing in central London.