Francois Louw cited after making contract with eye of Benetton's Marco Fuser

Bath flanker Francois Louw is set to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was cited for making contact with the eye of Benetton Treviso lock Marco Fuser during the recently concluded European Challenge Cup encounter between the two teams.

Fuser himself has been cited for biting during the same incident which happened at the 77th minute when Louw tangled with Fuser, pulling the Italy lock away and then raking his hand across his face.

Both Louw and Fuser will face a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday with the Springboks international carrying an offence that carries a low-end sanction of a four-week ban and a top end of 12 to 52 weeks.

The citing commissioner Tim Lowry has not indicated whether Fuser's offence was a reaction to or provocation of his opponent's use of the hand but if proved guilty he could face a suspension ranging from a low-end sanction of 12 weeks with the top end ranging from 12 to 52 weeks.

Former Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll slammed the action of Louw even before the citing was announced.

"As soon as you put your hand across the face of any player...we know how precarious that is," O'Driscoll told BT Sport.

"We've seen it happen recently with Kyle Sinckler. It's just stupidity and foolish from a pretty experienced player. You cannot go near the face area in any shape or form."