Citing could see Chris Ashton miss Six Nations
Saracens wing Chris Ashton's hopes of resuming his international career with England during this year's RBS 6 Nations Championship are in the balance following a citation for eye-gouging during his team's victory over Ulster at the weekend.
Ashton, a prolific try scorer for both club and country who won the last of his 39 England caps in New Zealand more than 18 months ago, has been cited for allegedly making contact with the "eye(s) and/or eye area" of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during Saturday's European Champions Cup match at Allianz Park.
Ashton, if found guilty, could face a suspension in excess of 12 weeks which would jeoparidse any involvement he could possibly have in the entire Six Nations tournament, which begins for England against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6.
In light of Johnny May's season-ending injury, Ashton has been widely backed to make the starting line-up for new coach Eddie Jones' first game in charge, but his immediate playing prospects now rest on a disciplinary hearing set to take place on Wednesday.
"EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Saracens wing, Chris Ashton (No 14), following the European Rugby Champions Cup Round 5 match against Ulster Rugby on Saturday, 16 January 2016," a European Professional Club Rugby statement read.
"Ashton is alleged to have made contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of the Ulster centre, Luke Marshall (No 13), in the 16th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m)."
Marshall was one of two Ulster tacklers tying up Saracens full-back Ben Ransom in the early stages of Saracens' 33-17 triumph, with the incident supposedly occuring as Ashton attempted to keep the ball alive for his side.
It was spotted by the citing commissioner and the 28-year-old will now face an anxious wait to see if his chances of playing for England for the first time since June 2014 have been dealt a critical blow.
Clermont's Viktor Kolelishvili also faces a similarly anxious wait after a bizarre incident in which he pushed referee Wayne Barnes during his side's 21-13 defeat at Ospreys.
The Georgia flanker was lined up in defence around the fringes of a ruck when he shoved the English referee, who, Kolelishvili justified, was impeding his view of the breakdown by standing in his vicinity.
At the time the 26-year-old escaped with just a telling-off, but his case will now be reviewed at a hearing on January 19.
Glasgow's Ryan Wilson has also been cited after being "alleged to have grabbed the testicles" of Northampton scrum-half Lee Dickson.
Under World Rugby's laws, which cover "testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing", Wilson could also face a potentially lengthy ban at a hearing on January 20.
Furthermore, Wilson's Glasgow team-mate Tim Swinson will have a hearing on the same day after he allegedly punched Northampton hooker Mike Haywood in the 74th minute of their 19-15 defeat at Franklin's Gardens.
Newport replacement hooker Rhys Thomas has also been cited after he was alleged to have bitten Castres back row Thomas Caballero in their European Challenge Cup clash.
The 33-year-old reportedly bit Caballero in the 67th minute of Newport's 31-18 win over the Top 14 side.
