Connacht head coach Pat Lam has been formally charged with misconduct for comments that he made to the media following Friday's agonising defeat to Cardiff at the Arms Park.

The province lost 18-17 after a Joaquin Tuculet try deep into injury time.

After the game, Lam launched a scathing criticism of the performance of the match officials and also raised concerns about some of the comments made by one of the linesmen, Leighton Hodges, prior to a previous match at the Sportsground.

He will now be required to attend a disciplinary hearing to explain his comments.