Tuilaga cleared for SA tour

Published: Tuesday, 29. May, 2012 in category Leicester
Tuilagi: His tackle on Care did not result in a ban

The Leicester star had been citing for a 'tip tackle' on Harlequins' Danny Care during Saturday's Aviva Premiership final.

However, a disciplinary hearing sitting in Bristol on Tuesday evening cleared Tuilagi, leaving him free to get on the plane to South Africa on Wednesday. England will play three Tests there next month - in Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Had he been foudn guilty of a 'tip tackle', Tuilagi would have been given a minimum three-week ban, one which would likely have ruled him out of the tour.

The powerful Tuilagi, 21, is a key part of England head coach Stuart Lancaster's plans. He was one of England's outstanding performers during the Six Nations campaign earlier in the year.