Ryan Wilson faces Six Nations ban over alleged testicle grab

Glasgow flanker Ryan Wilson has been cited for allegedly grabbing the testicles of Northampton Saints scrum-half Lee Dickson during his side's European Champions Cup defeat on Sunday.

Ryan Wilson, centre, is accused of committing the offence during Glasgow's loss to Northampton. Picture: Getty

If found guilty at tomorrow’s hearing Wilson ­faces a minimum ban of 12 weeks, which would rule him out of the Six Nations.

Wilson’s club and Scotland team-mate Tim Swinson has also been cited for the 74th-minute yellow card which hampered Warriors’ chances of seeing out the victory they needed to keep their hopes of qualification a realistic possibility.

The lock has been reported by the match commissioner Jeff Mark of Wales for the punch he threw at Saints’ replacement Mikey Haywood. Glasgow were leading 15-12 at the time but conceded a late converted try which condemned them to a 19-15 loss. The result means their bid to reach the quarter-finals is all but over.

The charge against Wilson emerged yesterday evening when the European Professional Club Rugby disciplinary update announced: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Glasgow Warriors flanker, Ryan Wilson (No 6), following the European Rugby Champions Cup Round 5 match against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday, 17 January 2016.

“Wilson is alleged to have grabbed the testicles of the Northampton Saints scrum half, Lee Dickson (No 9), in the 25th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m).”

Under World Rugby’s sanctions for foul play in regards to Law 10.4 (m) – “testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing” – the low end entry point suspension is 12 weeks, with the mid-range punishment 18 weeks and a maximum ban of 24 to 208 weeks.

Last February, Wilson was suspended without pay by Scottish Rugby for three months after being found guilty of assault. The Aldershot-born 26-year-old was fined £750 after he attacked two men in a Glasgow fast-food shop.

He returned from his suspension to play in the World Cup and now has 15 Scotland caps.

Swinson, who also featured for Scotland at the World Cup, will also face independent judicial officer Simon Thomas of Wales in London tomorrow. Bans for striking range from a minimum two weeks to a maximum of 52 weeks.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter will name his squad for the RBS Six Nations at BT Murrayfield this morning.

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