Filed under: Rugby Union, Premiership, Rugby World Cup, England Rugby
After an impressive Six Nations when their only failure came at the final hurdle against Ireland, England coach Martin Johnson was left feeling quietly confident about performing well at the World Cup later this year.However, the future of Sale winger Mark Cueto after he was charged with an alleged gouging offence has taken the edge off that optimism.
Cueto has been cited for making "contact with the eye or eye area" of Northampton second row Christian Day during last weekend's Premiership match between Saints and Sale.
Cueto will appear before a Rugby Football Union (RFU) Disciplinary Panel next Monday - and television evidence seems to suggest that Cueto did indeed have his fingers near and around Day's face during an altercation between the two.
The minimum ban for the offence is 12 weeks - but precedent would appear to indicate that Cueto will get much longer if he is found guilty.
And that will be a hammer blow for Johnson because Cueto has matured into one of his most skilful and trustworthy lieutenants in recent times.
The 31-year-old has played 50 Tests for England since his debut in 2004, is an integral member of Johnson's side and the England coach will be desperate to have him involved.
If Cueto is found guilty - and only given the minimum sentence - then he will miss England's training camp in June but would be back to face Wales in a World Cup warm-up on August 6.
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