Neil Best cited for gouging
September 25 2008
Northampton Saints flanker Neil Best has been cited for 'illegally making contact with the eye or eye area of Wasps and England forward James Haskell' - gouging to you and me - in last Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash at Franklin's Gardens.
The Ireland international's case will be heard at an RFU disciplinary hearing in London next Tuesday.
If found guilty, Best can expect at least an eight-game ban.
Ironically, the citing comes two days after Haskell himself was more or less cleared of head-butting Greg Rawlinson the week before - Haskell was supended for a week after being found guilty of dangerous play, and had his ban reduced in the face of 'extreme provocation'.
Best has had a stellar start to his season with Northampton, playing his way back into the international frame in many people's eyes.