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London, April 4, 2016 (AFP) -England Grand Slam-winner George Kruis could miss the upcoming tour of Australia after he was cited for allegedly biting an opponent while playing for Premiership leaders Saracens against Bath last week.
The lock forward will now appear before a three-man RFU disciplinary panel in Bristol, southwest England, on Tuesday and so too will Bath prop David Wilson, who has been cited for allegedly making contact with Kruis's eye or eye area.
Charges against the pair were brought following London club Saracens' 30-10 win away to Bath last Friday.
"David Wilson of Bath Rugby and George Kruis of Saracens will appear before an RFU disciplinary panel both charged with acts contrary to good sportsmanship contrary to law 10.4(m)," said a statement issued by England's governing Rugby Football Union on Monday.
"Wilson has been cited following the Aviva Premiership match between Bath and Saracens for allegedly making contact with the eye(s) or the eye area of Kruis.
"Kruis was also cited for allegedly biting David Wilson as part of the same incident in the second half of the match.
"Both players will appear before a three-person RFU disciplinary panel chaired by Christopher Quinlan QC tomorrow evening (Tuesday, April 5) in Bristol."
Biting is regarded as a serious disciplinary offence and the lower end punishment if proven is a 12-week ban, according to RFU regulations.
That would rule Kruis out of the remainder of Premiership champions Saracens' domestic campaign and his hopes of securing a place in England's squad for their three-Test tour of Australia in June.
Meanwhile former England prop David Wilson also faces a 12-week ban if found guilty of the gouging charge against him.
Saracens face English rivals Northampton in a European Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Kruis, 26, has made 15 Test appearances and featured in all five matches as England won the Six Nations with their first Grand Slam in 13 years last month.
The fall-out from last Friday's league fixture had already seen the RFU and Bath launch a joint investigation following a report that a supporter confronted referee Greg Garner in the officials' dressing room at the Recreation Ground.
