Leicester and England centre Will Greenwood was sent off minutes after a bruising brawl in his side's 27-10 defeat by Newcastle yesterday. The dismissal could now endanger his chances of participating in England's southern hemisphere tour.

Greenwood received his marching orders from referee Ed Morrisson a minute from the end of normal time after appearing to head-butt Newcastle captain and director of rugby Rob Andrew. The sending off came after the referee had already issued a final warning to both captains following a 69th minute brawl involving all but a handful of players.

Under RFU regulations He now faces a 60-day ban, which could put his place on the England tour to the Southern Hemisphere in doubt.

However, Andrew later spoke in Greenwood's defence saying: "It was more of a kiss than a head-butt." "I couldn't believe it when I looked up and saw it was Will."