Ugly La Rochelle clearout on Ruan Ackermann has resulted in citing

Last Saturday’s ugly-looking breakdown clearout on Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann will have a disciplinary hearing sequel as La Rochelle’s Georges-Henri Colombe has been cited for his intervention. Ex-England international Austin Healey, who now works for BT Sport as a pundit, was incredulous after watching the incident in the round-of-16 Heineken Champions Cup match that Gloucester agonisingly lost 29-26 in the final minutes in France.

Referee Mike Adamson decided to only yellow card Colombe, a decision that infuriated Healy. “Hope Ackerman isn’t bad... 100% red card!! Come on Gloucester,” he tweeted last Saturday with the game entering its final segment.

The yellow card punishment will now come under scrutiny as the French team’s prop has been cited by match commissioner Beth Dickens.

A statement read: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Stade Rochelais replacement prop, Georges-Henri Colombe (No18), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 match against Gloucester at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

“Colombe is alleged to have carried out a dangerous clearout at a ruck on the Gloucester back row, Ruan Ackerman (No6), in the 68th minute of the match in contravention of law 9.11. The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland).

“Antony Davies (England, chair), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Frank Hadden (Scotland) have been appointed as in the independent disciplinary committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference tomorrow [Wednesday].”

With Gloucester eventually beaten by a 78th-minute Teddy Thomas try, cup holders La Rochelle will host English opposition again next weekend with Saracens due in France for a quarter-final tie.