England star Chris Ashton to answer gouging charge

Saracens wing Chris Ashton’s hopes of an England recall in the opening exchanges of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship are in the balance.

Prolific try-scorer Ashton, who won the last of his 39 England caps in New Zealand more than 18 months ago, has been cited for allegedly making contact with the “eye(s) and/or eye area” of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during Saturday’s European Champions Cup match at Allianz Park.

Ashton, if found guilty of the offence, could face a ban of around 12 weeks or more, and if that happens, he would miss the Six Nations tournament.