Neil facing suspension over Worsley Back-hander

ENGLAND World Cup hero Neil Back could find himself walking a disciplinary tightrope when he reports for Lions duty tomorrow.

Back’s most obvious contribution to the Zurich Premiership final defeat by Wasps on Saturday - his 339th and last Leicester appearance - was a sickening punch that felled Wasps flanker and former England colleague Joe Worsley.

It left Worsley with a wound inside his mouth which required 13 stitches, and grotesque facial swelling that meant he was barely able to talk as the dust began settling on Wasps’ third successive Premiership title triumph.

Referee Chris White penalised him for retaliation, but failed to produce a yellow or red card the reckless act warranted. Back though, could still be cited by the independent match commissioner, who has until midweek to decide whether or not he should face further action.

If 36-year-old Back has a case to answer, a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing would be convened, with the possibility of a ban which could rule him out of early Lions tour games such as Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4, and Taranaki in New Plymouth four days later.

Clive Woodward’s 45-man Lions squad assemble at their Welsh training retreat in the Vale of Glamorgan tomorrow, with the team to face pre-tour opponents Argentina being announced 24 hours later.

Said Worsley: “It was a bit of a cheap shot.”

Meanwhile Lawrence Dallaglio saluted Warren Gatland’s “enormous” contribution to English rugby - and then tipped him for a coaching role with the All Blacks.

New Zealander Gatland will return home later this month to take charge of the Waikato Chiefs after establishing Wasps as English rugby’s dominant force.

“He has brought on the English game. Wasps and English rugby will be worse off without him.”