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 last-16 win against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.
Under World Rugby’s sanctions, if found guilty of biting 23-year-old Jibulu could face anywhere between 12 weeks for a low-end offence, 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” and that “physical abuse involves biting”.
The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner Sebastien Lorant-Raze and will be heard by an independent three-person panel on Tuesday.
Sale will travel to Leinster for the quarter-finals on Saturday (17:30 BST) after the Dubliners 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.