Tuilagi's South African tour in doubt
England centre Manu Tuilagi is at risk of missing his adopted country's mid-year tour of South Africa, after being cited for a spear-tackle during his team loss to Harlequins in the Premiership Final at the weekend.
The powerful Samoan-born back, who exploded onto the English rugby scene last season, has suffered a number of disciplinary set-backs over the past 12 months.
He was fined for jumping off a ferry in Auckland harbour last October, after England were knocked out of the World Cup in New Zealand.
Last May Tuilagi missed Leicester's previous Premiership Final against Saracens, because of a ban – after he punched Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton in the semifinal at Welford Road.
England travel to South Africa next month to play five matches in what is Stuart Lancaster's first tour as coach.
Tuilagi has been charged with a breach of Law 10.4 (j), following a report by the citing officer John Byett.
He will appear in Bristol on Tuesday.
The case will be heard by a single RFU judicial officer, Christopher Quinlan.
The incident occurred in the opening minutes of the match.
