The Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi has appealed against his five-week ban for striking an opponent with his knee during a Rugby World Cup match against Japan.
Tuilagi was suspended earlier in the week for striking the Japan centre Harumichi Tatekawa in the second minute of the game in Milton Keynes. His appeal hearing will take place on Friday in London.
Several former players hit out at the ban handed to Tuilagi that means the wing will miss the start of the Premiership season for Newcastle.
Samoa are out of contention for the quarter-finals before their Pool B match against Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.
Canada’s Nick Blevins was cited on Friday by the independent citing commissioner Yves Thieffine of France for a dangerous tackle in a match against Romania on Wednesday. His hearing will be held in London.
