Irish worry as Best cited for ‘eye gouge’

IRELAND flanker Neil Best is a doubt for the autumn internationals after he was cited for alleged foul play during a Guinness Premiership game with his club Northampton.

The Ireland international faces a Rugby Football Union hearing in London next Tuesday.

He has been charged “with an act contrary to good sportsmanship under law 10.4k”.

The range of punishments for Best’s alleged offence vary from a six-week ban to two years.

Ireland face Canada on November 8 at Thomond Park. A week later they face the All Blacks at Croke Park. On November 22, Ireland face Argentina at Croke Park.

He has been reported by independent citing officer Ken Pattinson for illegally making contact with the eye or eye area of Wasps and England forward James Haskell in Saturday’s Premiership clash at Franklin’s Gardens.

Best, 29, joined the Saints from Ulster earlier this summer. He must now appear before a three-man RFU disciplinary panel chaired by Jeff Blackett, assisted by Peter Budge and Jeff Probyn.

Best’s Northampton team-mate, hooker Dylan Hartley, received a six-month suspension last year after being found guilty on two counts of eye-gouging.

The incidents also happened against Wasps, and also involved Haskell, together with Wasps flanker Johnny O’Connor. Hartley’s suspension meant he was ruled of England’s 2007 World Cup squad.