Lawes’ World Cup in doubt after being cited for knee hit

Courtney Lawes could miss the rest of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign after being cited for allegedly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

Lawes was due to appear before a disciplinary hearing in Auckland in the early hours of today charged with an offence which carries a guideline suspension of between three and 12 weeks, or matches in the World Cup context. If Lawes is found guilty, judicial officer Terry Willis must then judge the entry level of the offence – the lowest being three weeks – and determine whether there are any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

Lawes was required to leave England’s Queenstown base to attend the hearing, where he was due to be represented by Richard Smith QC, England’s travelling legal expert.

Lawes was the first player to be cited at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and it came after he collided with Ledesma, who appeared to have been briefly knocked out in the first half of England’s 13-9 victory over the Pumas.

England manager Martin Johnson said: “We have received notification of Courtney’s citing. We will of course provide Rugby World Cup with any information required and attend the hearing as requested,” he said.

England began travelling with their own legal representation at the 2003 World Cup where Richard Smith successfully dealt with the scandal of England briefly fielding 16 men during their pool match with Samoa.

Confirmation of the Lawes citing came after the 36-hour cut-off point but Rugby World Cup Ltd insisted there was nothing sinister in the delay. A spokesman for the tournament organisers confirmed the citing would have been lodged within the time available but procedural issues, such as selecting the judicial officer, delayed the announcement. The official RWCL statement reads: “Courtney Lawes (England) has been cited for an alleged breach of Law 10.4 (a) punching or striking (with the knee) during the Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool B match against Argentina on September 10.”

Meanwhile, forward Nick Easter insisted England will never take a backward step on the field, despite Lawes’ aggression placing his World Cup future in doubt. “You can’t take a step back in rugby,” he said. “If you take a step back you have lost. It is a physical game. If you are not up for it physically you will get found out.”