Manu Tuilagi cited by RFU for Chris Ashton punch

(GETTY IMAGES)

Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi has been cited for punching Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

Tuilagi will face a RFU disciplinary hearing in London tomorrow, his 20th birthday.

He has been reported by independent citing officer Alan Mansell for punching Ashton during the first half of Leicester's 11-3 victory at Welford Road.

Tuilagi, one of England's brightest midfield candidates and a World Cup squad contender later this year, is set to miss the Aviva Premiership final against Saracens at Twickenham on May 28 if he is banned, and possibly England Saxons' Churchill Cup campaign next month.

Tuilagi could be suspended for anything from between two weeks to 11 or more, depending on how a three-man RFU panel views his actions.

Both Tuilagi and Ashton were yellow-carded by referee Wayne Barnes following the 32nd-minute incident.

Barnes consulted with assistant referee Robin Goodliffe before sin-binning both players.

Television replays though, showed that Ashton's only part in the episode was to push Tuilagi after he had been taken out off the ball by the Leicester player.

Tuilagi then responded by throwing three punches at Ashton, the latter a crunching right hook that left the Saints star requiring stitches to a cut near his left eye.

Tuilagi's actions were witnessed from the Welford Road stands by England manager Martin Johnson, red rose forwards coach John Wells and scrummaging specialist Graham Rowntree.

Tuilagi, the younger brother of Tigers wing Alesana, has been tipped for a glittering future in the English game.

Although currently uncapped, it is viewed as only a matter of time before he gains a place in England's midfield, possibly before this year's World Cup in New Zealand that starts on September 9.

Tuilagi's case, though, would not be helped by him missing the Churchill Cup, which offers a chance for fringe players to put themselves forward as Johnson begins formulating his World Cup squad plans.

Tuilagi starred for the Saxons earlier this season, scoring a try when they crushed Italy A 45-17 in Worcester.

And he would be a huge loss for Leicester when they bid to secure an eighth Premiership title on Saturday week, facing Saracens in a repeat of last season's final that Tigers won 33-27.