Manu Tuilagi was cited for a dangerous tackle today, leading to his Lions team-mate Brian O'Driscoll complaining that rugby has 'gone soft'.
Tuilagi, 26, faces being banned immediately for a minimum of two weeks. The incident occurred in his comeback match after three months out following knee surgery — the latest injury problem to blight his career.
Former Ireland captain O'Driscoll said on Twitter: 'I think the game has gone soft if we're picking up on marginal collisions like the Manu Tuilagi tackle he's been cited for.'
I think the game has gone soft if we’re picking up on marginal collisions like the Manu Tuilagi tackle he’s been sited for.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 19, 2017
The Leicester Tigers centre faces a disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday after he allegedly tackled Munster flanker Chris Cloete high on Sunday.
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Tuilagi would feel aggrieved if suspended because the hit looked innocuous. If he is found guilty, a low-end offence carries a two-week suspension while mid-range is six weeks, which would threaten Tuilagi's Six Nations selection for England.