Armitage cited for ‘high tackle’ on Paterson

DELON Armitage’s Rugby World Cup future is in doubt after he was cited for a “dangerous high tackle” on Scotland’s Chris Paterson. The England player has been called to appear before a disciplinary hearing in Auckland, which started at 1am BST today.

The offence carries a guideline suspension of between two and ten weeks. Armitage was cited for the challenge on Paterson in England’s 16-12 victory over Scotland. England play France in the quarter-finals next Saturday.

Armitage appeared to catch Paterson high with his shoulder, leaving the Scotland full-back requiring treatment. France also have a player in hot water after centre Fabrice Estebanez was cited for a dangerous tip tackle in Les Bleus’ shock 19-14 defeat by Tonga.

Estebanez’s hearing is also scheduled for today and if found guilty he will miss the quarter-final clash with England.

Tonga winger Sukanaivalu Hufanga has been suspended for five weeks after being found guilty of a dangerous tip tackle in the match with France.

Hufanga, yellow carded for the incident, was cited by independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds, of New Zealand, after a video review.

Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu will face a misconduct hearing for criticising Nigel Owens’ refereeing performance. Fuimaono-Sapolu described Owens’ refereeing as “absolutely horrendous” on Twitter after Samoa lost 13-5 to South Africa, adding “get SA [South Africa] into next round. The plan was obvious. Can’t wait to meet IRB members in public.”

The International Rugby Board issued a statement saying “the charge follows a previous formal warning issued to the Samoa Rugby Union regarding social media conduct by the same player”.

Samoan officials apologised to the IRB on behalf of Fuimaono-Sapolu last week after he likened the team’s four-day gap between playing Namibia and the crunch Pool D match against Wales to slavery and apartheid.