Horwill cited over Jones incident

Australia captain James Horwill has been cited for alleged foul play during Saturday's first Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The Lions referred the alleged incident - stamping or trampling on Lions lock Alun-Wyn Jones - to the match citing commissioner.

The Australian Rugby Union confirmed that Horwill will face a disciplinary hearing in Melbourne on Sunday morning at 10.30 BST. The ARU said Horwill has been cited under Law 10.4 b.

It is the last thing Wallabies coach Robbie Deans needs as he looks to pick up a battered squad from the 23-21 defeat at Suncorp Stadium. The game took a high injury toll on his players, with three backs - Christian Leali'ifano, Berrick Barnes and Pat McCabe - being carried off. And Horwill now finds himself in the dock following an alleged third-minute incident.

Any period of suspension for Horwill would be a hammer blow for the Wallabies as they look to turn around a 1-0 series deficit.

There are two Tests remaining in Melbourne next Saturday and Sydney seven days later. If the Lions win in Melbourne, they will claim their first Test series triumph since defeating South Africa 2-1, 16 years ago.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland confirmed that the tourists referred the incident - stamping or trampling as laid out under Law 10.4 b. - to the match citing commissioner and gave his view on Horwill's actions.

"Alun's fine. The medical team had a look at him at half time and at full time they had to put a couple of stitches in his eye," he said.

"We had a look at him after the game and the feeling from us was that he needed to be referred to the citing commissioner to have a look and make up his mind. I played in the days when rucking was allowed and I've still got some scars that bear witness to the ruckings I had, but for me the head was sacrosanct and you stayed away from that.

"It's up to the citing commissioner to make any further decision."