Joe Marler cited for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones by the genitals during England vs Wales

Joe Marler has been cited for grabbing Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones by the genitals during England's 33-30 Six Nations victory over Wales on Saturday, with the Harlequins prop facing a lengthy ban if found guilty.

The 29-year-old appeared to grab Jones in the eight minute of the Twickenham match after the two sets of players allowed tempers to boil over, following Owen Farrell’s try-saving tackle on George North.

As a number of players became involved, television cameras picked up marler appearing to grab Jones in a private area while looking away, with an incensed Jones appealing to the assistant referee who was closest to the incident.

No action was taken again Marler at the time, but citing commissioner Peter Ferguson decided that the prop acted “against the spirit of good sportsmanship” in relation to law 9.27 and he could face up to a 24-week ban if found guilty at a hearing in Dublin on Thursday.

A Six Nations statement confirming Marler's citing read: "The England number one Joe Marler has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.27 (a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship - hair pulling or grabbing; Spitting at anyone; grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals (and/or breasts in the case of female players) during the Guinness Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday.

"A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin."

Marler's England teammate Courtney Lawes also faces disciplinary action after being cited for a dangerous tackle - also on Wales lock Jones - during the same match.

The Northampton Saints lock is an accused of making a dangerous tackle to Jones in the 65th minute of the match, with video footage appearing to show the England second row stopping the Ospreys captain with a shoulder-led tackle to the head. Lawes also faces a hearing in the Irish capital on Thursday, as does Manu Tuilagi after being sent-off in the 75th minute of the Twickenham encounter for a shoulder charge to the head of George North.

Watch the incident below...

The disciplinary action will not end there as the window for Sunday’s match between Scotland and France remains open until Tuesday afternoon, with French prop Mohamed Haouas facing a disciplinary hearing after his red card for punching Scottish flanker Jamie Ritchie.

In what proved an ill-tempered affair, the Six Nations could bring further action against other players from Scotland’s 28-17 victory, which saw flanker Francois Cros yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on lock Grant Gilchrist.