Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu could face a lengthy ban after being cited for allegedly biting Harlequins’ replacement prop Will Hobson.
The incident is said to have occurred in the 69th minute of Sale’s Champions Cup round of 16 win against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, 4 April.
Under World Rugby’s sanctions for foul play laws, if found guilty of biting Jibulu could face anywhere between 12 weeks for a low end offence or up to 208 weeks – which equates to four years – for a top end violation.
Law 9.12 states that a player “must not physically abuse anyone”, also notably stating that “physical abuse involves biting”.
The complaint – received by the European rugby’s competition organiser – was made by the match citing commissioner Sebastien Lorant-Raze and will be heard by a independent three-person panel on Tuesday.
Sale will travel to Leinster for the quarter-finals on Saturday (17:30 BST) after they won a 49-31 thriller against Edinburgh.
The Sharks are already without front row pair Bevan Rodd, who dislocated his shoulder, and Luke Cowan-Dickie, with a suspected broken his wrist or forearm, after both went off during Saturday’s match.
The injuries have also jeopardised their participation in England’s tour this summer.
