Four cited by ERC

The quartet were cited over incidents in their respective Heineken Cup clashes on Saturday.

The cases will be heard at the ERC offices in Dublin, with Welshman Simon Thomas appointed as the independent judicial officer in the Cudmore and Tuitupou hearings while England's Anthony Davies will adjudicate on the two Welsh-based players.

Fa'amatuainu (pictured) was referred by Italian citing commissioner Maurizino Vancini for an alleged dangerous tackle on Perpignan wing Adrien Plante, an offence which carries a two-week ban for a low-end offence with a top-end sanction of 10-plus weeks.

England's Tony Lanaway cited Williams for allegedly striking Edinburgh full-back Chris Paterson with his knee, with a ban of at least three weeks awaiting the Wales flanker if he is found guilty.

Tuitupou was cited under law 10.4 (j), 'Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving a player into the ground' - punishable by bans ranging from three to 10-plus weeks - after Welshman Ray Wilton felt he had committed a dangerous tackle on London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson.

Cudmore faces two charges after Murray Whyte from Ireland alleged that he "kicked and/or stamped on" Saracens flanker Jacques Burger. The stamping offence carries a minimum two-week ban ranging to nine-plus, while sanctions for kicking range from four to 12-plus weeks.

The maximum possible ban in each case would be 52 weeks.