England centre Piers Francis has been cited for an act of foul play during England’s 45-7 Rugby World Cup victory over the USA yesterday.
The 29-year-old has been pulled up for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13, a dangerous high tackle and will now attend a hearing before an independent Judicial Committee in Tokyo on a date that shall be decided with the player and his representatives.
The tackle in question is one which was between Francis and American Willy Hooley, that took place at a high pace, however, the only thing that could help the Englishman is that it appears as though he slips up in the tackle after initial contact.
Speaking after the game head coach Eddie Jones refused to discuss the matter.
“We never discuss that area and leave that to whoever it is and take whatever is handed out,” he said.
However, the tackle has already drawn comparisons between that of Reece Hodge’s high tackle last weekend against Fiji, which once again went unnoticed before being cited and saw Hodge receive a three-week ban.
After the game former Welsh international centre Jamie Roberts, while doing punditry on TV, claimed that following the Hodge incident that Francis should expect similar punishment.
Hodge originally received a six-week ban before it was reduced to three due to his previous clean record and his conduct at the hearing, so if Francis is to be found guilty of foul play he could expect similar punishment. If he were to even reduce a three-week ban he would become unavailable for England’s final two Pool C games against Argentina and France, along with a possible quarter-final and would be a blow to England.
