Gloucester and Samoan big mouth Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has confirmed that Samoa’s Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu will face a Misconduct Hearing for alleged breaches of the RWC/IRB Code of Conduct in relation to comments made about Referee Nigel Owens via the public social media network Twitter.

These comments were made following the match between Samoa and South Africa held on 30 September.

The charges brought against the player are for Misconduct in breach of section 18 of the Rugby World Cup Disciplinary Programme and for alleged infractions of the Tournament Terms of Participation.

The charge follows a previous formal warning issued to the Samoa Rugby Union regarding social media conduct by the same player during Rugby World Cup 2011.

The case will be heard by the Independent Judicial Officer Jeff Blackett (ENG) with the date and time to be confirmed.