Leicester Tigers have lodged an appeal against the RFU disciplinary hearing which banned England captain Martin Johnson, the club said in a statement on their official web site.
If the appeal against the jurisdiction and procedure of the hearing is successful, Johnson may be able to lead England in their Six Nations decider against France in Paris on March 2nd.
The lock forward was given a 21-day suspension in the early hours of Friday for punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell during a premiership match two weeks ago.
England coach Clive Woodward said on Friday that until Leicester decided to appeal he would prepare for the game against France assuming that Johnson would not be available for selection."
The RFU admitted last week that pressure from public opinion had swayed them to call Johnson before their disciplinary panel for the hearing, which was unprecedented since the player had already been punished during the match by being sent to the sin bin.
England's Premier Rugby Partnership (PRP) also said on Friday that it would appeal against the jurisdiction and procedure of the hearing.
"The match referee should be the sole judge of matters on the field of play and the RFU should only call a disciplinary panel for citing purposes or bringing the game into disrepute." PRP, which represents the interests of the premiership clubs and players, said in a statement.