Wilson faces four-week ban
● Scotland No 8 cited for eye-area contact with Hughes as tunnel row rumbles on
Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson has been cited for alleged “contact with the eye area” following an incident during Saturday’s Calcutta Cup victory over England and will face a Six Nations disciplinary hearing tomorrow.
The Glasgow forward, who is also embroiled in the rumbling furore over an alleged pre-match bust-up in the tunnel, has been reported over an incident in the 37th minute of the match involving his opposite number Nathan Hughes.
The pair became involved in an off-the-ball wrestle, with the England man pinning his Scottish opponent on the ground and Wilson appearing to run his hand down the right side of Hughes’s face.
When Welsh referee Nigel Owens separated the pair he asked both what the problem was before saying: “Well if you don’t know let’s get on with the game.”
French citing commissioner Patrice Frantschi has seen fit to take the matter further. If found guilty, the offence, which is not as serious as actual eye contact or “gouging”, carries a suspension ranging from a minimum four weeks to a maximum of one year.
Wilson was part of a supreme back-row effort from Scotland, whose domination of the breakdown against England played a large part in the famous 25-13 victory.
The SRU, meanwhile, is understood to be frustrated that the rumbling furore over what exactly happened in the BT Murrayfield tunnel before Saturday’s match is deflecting from the jubilant aftermath.
An incident occurred as both sets of players were heading back to the changing rooms and footage emerged yesterday from a supporter’s camera phone. It showed England centre Owen Farrell running between players from both teams before shoving Wilson, who appeared to be speaking to opposition stand-off George Ford, to one side from behind and Wilson reacting.
Reports from English “sources” yesterday were claiming that Farrell had been provoked and that this was expected to form the basis of England’s account of the incident.
Six Nations Rugby has written to both teams seeking clarification over what happened, with accounts to be submitted by last night.
The only official response from the SRU read: “Scotland are delighted to have won the 2018 Calcutta Cup at BT Murrayfield and the focus of the team now turns to the game against Ireland in Dublin.”
After the match players from both teams claimed not to have seen the incident. Scotland captain John Barclay claimed to have been in the toilet when it happened and England coach Eddie Jones said: “I don’t know about it. If there was, we shouldn’t let that detract from a great Scotland victory. Don’t get distracted by other things.”