Tuilagi Cited for Care Tip Tackle

England centre Manu Tuilagi has been cited for a 'tip tackle', putting his South Africa tour place in jeopardy.

The Rugby Football Union announced the decision to cite Tuilagi, 21, on Monday evening.

The charge relates to a tackle by the Leicester powerhouse on Harlequins' scrum-half Danny Care during Saturday's Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham.

If the charge is proved, a ban could ruled the centre out of the three-Test tour of South Africa.

In a statement, the RFU said: "Manusamoa Tuilagi, of Leicester Tigers, has been cited for a 'tip tackle' on Harlequins' Danny Care during the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, May 27.

"Tuilagi has been charged with a breach of Law 10.4 (j) following a report by the citing officer John Byett and will appear at the Bristol Filton Holiday Inn on Tuesday, May 29 (8pm). The case will be heard by a single RFU judicial officer, Christopher Quinlan QC."

The England squad leave for South Africa on Wednesday, playing Tests against the Springboks in Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, plus two midweek fixtures.

Tuilagi is a key part of England head coach Stuart Lancaster's plans, but he could land a minimum three-week suspension.

The hard-running centre, one of England's outstanding performers during the RBS 6 Nations campaign, is no stranger to controversy.

He was banned for 10 weeks after punching Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton during a Premiership semi-final at Welford Road last season, although that suspension was reduced to five weeks on appeal.

And during England's ill-fated World Cup campaign in New Zealand last autumn, Tuilagi received a £3,000 fine for jumping from a ferry into Auckland Harbour and a £4,800 punishment from the International Rugby Board for wearing a sponsored mouthguard during the tournament.