France’s Pascal Papé has been cited for an incident during Saturday’s Six Nations game at the Aviva Stadium in which he struck Ireland's Jamie Heaslip in the back with his knee.

The second row struck Heaslip in the back with his knee in the 53rd minute, leading to Heaslip being withdrawn from the game six minutes later, in some clear discomfort. After the game it emerged there are concerns the number 8 had sustained up to three broken vertebrae in the incident.

The independent citing commissioner overseeing the 18-11 win for Ireland has decided Papé is to face a Six Nations Disciplinary Commission later this week.

Papé was yellow carded for the offence at the time by referee Wayne Barnes, although the long-term cost to Ireland could be significant with Heaslip potentially out for the remainder of the tournament.