FRENCH prop Franck Tournaire could miss the World Cup final after being cited on a biting charge by tournament disciplinary chiefs.
Tournaire faces a charge of biting an unspecified opponent during France’s thrilling semi-final victory over the All Blacks at Twickenham.
The hearing will take place in Cardiff on Wednesday morning and will be chaired by Neil Bidder QC. The French team for the final is scheduled to be named on Thursday.
Television replays showed Tournaire appearing to bite New Zealand captain Taine Randell during France’s 43-31 victory and, if found guilty and suspended, he will miss Saturday’s match against Australia.
French team manager Jo Maso said he was confident that Tournaire would be cleared.
“I don’t fear this citing because the referee took no action at the time,” Maso said.
France are already without Tournaire’s Toulouse teammate and front-row colleague Christian Califano, who received a 50-day suspension after being cited for butting during a Group C victory over Fiji last month.
Another French forward, Fabien Pelous, has completed a suspension for stamping imposed earlier in the tournament.
Players caught biting usually face severe bans. The recommended International Rugby Board suspension for biting offences is between one and three years.