The Irish international is facing a spell on the sidelines after being cited for an allegedly dangerous tackle in the Guinness Premiership win against Harlequins two weeks ago.

Wilson dumped Quins flanker Will Skinner on his back early on in the clash. Referee Chris White, probably the most revered official in the Premiership, spotted the incident and decided against any card, giving Wilson a stern talking to instead.

Citing officers pick up any red-card offences not seen in matches, and have obviously deemed White's action and judgement wrong.

Wilson will be up before an RFU disciplinary panel at the London Bloomsbury Holiday Inn Hotel on Monday, with Mallinder facing the prospect of losing another of his star back-row players to suspension.

Fellow former Ulster player Neil Best was handed an 18-week ban for eye-gouging, which runs out in January.

When asked about Wilson's citing, Mallinder said: "I won't comment on that, we will wait for the hearing."

Leicester's Harry Ellis was recently given a six-week ban for a 'spear' tackle.

Meanwhile, Old Northamptonians' hopes of a dream day out at Twickenham have been dashed due to an administrative error.

The powerful Billing Road side were among the favourites to go all the way to the final of the EDF Energy Senior Vase, which will be played prior to the final of the EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup at the home of rugby in the spring.

But they have been disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

ONs beat Bridgnorth 41-0 in the fourth round on December 13 and were looking forward to a fifth round tie against Loughborough in three weeks' time. But the Northampton side were subsequently found to have played a cup-tied player, and have been booted out. Bridgnorth have now been re-instated and are now due to face Loughborough in the fifth round on January 17.