Wales’ Tomas Francis Cited But England’s Joe Marler Escapes

Wales prop Tomas Francis has been cited following an incident during Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations defeat against England at Twickenham.

Television footage showed the Exeter forward appearing to make contact with the eye area of England tighthead Dan Cole late in the game. A Six Nations statement on Sunday evening read:

“Tomas Francis, the Wales replacement prop forward, has been cited by the independent citing commissioner for allegedly making contact with the eyes or eye area of an opponent [Dan Cole] in the second half of the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham on Saturday 12 March 2016. Law 10.4 (m) applies – acts contrary to good sportsmanship.”

Match citing commissioner John Cole also issued a formal warning to England back-row forward James Haskell for a dangerous “neck roll” tackle in the 16th minute of the second half of the same match.

Meanwhile, Marler appears to have escaped punishment for an incident where he appears to plant his forearm into the face of Rob Evans after Cole was denied a first-half try by the television match official.

But the Harlequins loosehead could still be punished for the Lee incident which is still being looked at by Six Nations officials who confirmed on Sunday night that this investigation was ongoing.