Jack Nowell: England wing hit with RFU charge over criticism of referee Karl Dickson

England wing Jack Nowell could face suspension after being called to a disciplinary hearing for criticising referee Karl Dickson.

Exeter star Nowell branded Dickson’s decision to send off Chiefs wing Olly Woodburn in the Devon side’s 62-19 thumping at Leicester on Sunday as “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen” on Twitter.

The 30-year-old now faces an independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday night, which jeopardises his participation in the business end of Exeter’s season.

Nowell’s RFU charge of conduct prejudicial to the game puts into doubt his chances of playing in Exeter’s Champions Cup semi-final on April 30 in France against La Rochelle, the team he will join this summer.

Woodburn was dismissed for a second yellow card at Welford Road, when attempting to tackle Chris Ashton when both players were already sliding on the ground.

Several of Nowell’s Exeter colleagues appeared to also criticise the decision on social media, but so far Nowell is the only player to receive RFU scrutiny.

“I’m actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. EVER,” tweeted Nowell.

English rugby chiefs have quickly taken a dim view of the open criticism.

“Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs, has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game under RFU rule 5.12 for tweeted criticism of the referee’s decision in the Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs match on April 16, to his 61,000-plus followers,” read an RFU statement.

“The case will be heard tomorrow evening by an independent disciplinary panel chaired by Matthew O’Grady sitting with Martyn Wood and Guy Lovgreen.”