Daily Mirror

SINCKLER GOUGING PROBE

- BY ALEX SPINK

KYLE SINCKLER has been ordered to appear before disciplina­ry chiefs tomorrow after being accused of gouging.

The England and Lions prop denies making contact with the eyes of Northampto­n opponent Michael Paterson during Saturday’s game between Harlequins and Saints. But after reviewing the evidence Rugby Football Union bosses decided Sinckler, 24, had a case to answer and cited him.

The punishment for making contact with the eye/eye area ranges from four weeks to four years. Sinckler played all three Tests for the Lions off the bench against the All Blacks.

But he has struggled this season and was omitted from the England squad which trained in Oxford last week. His season went from bad to worse when Paterson pointed an accusing finger after half-time.

“You’ve come to me claiming contact with the eye?” asked referee Luke Pearce, with Harlequins captain Dave Ward (below) as a penalty is awarded. “100 per cent,” said the lock.

“He is on the floor and you do rip his scrum hat off and your hands do go into his face too,” Pearce told Sinckler after seeing TV footage.

Pearce added he saw no evidence of gouging.

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