Matt O'Connor says rugby could be in a 'dangerous place' after Mike Williams is cited

[Playboy™]

Matt O'Connor fears rugby's disciplinary system could be headed for a "dangerous place" after Leicester's Mike Williams was cited for charging into a ruck. Back rower Williams will face a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday after an incident in Leicester's 22-18 Champions Cup defeat at Racing 92 on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has been called to account for making contact with centre Henry Chavancy's head when hitting a ruck during the Stade Yves-du-Manoir encounter. But Leicester head coach O'Connor has suggested there was nothing untoward about the incident which went unpunished at the time.

I think there's 50 or 60 of those in a game," said O'Connor. "I think we're in a really dangerous place if that's going to be the standard of what we're looking at in relation to bringing blokes before the judiciary.

"There's no malice in it, there's no genuine intent to harm or injure, it happens 60 times a game. We'll have to see how it pans out this week."

Flanker Williams picked up a knock in Paris and missed training on Tuesday, but is expected to be fit come the weekend, albeit he must await the outcome of Wednesday's disciplinary hearing.

Wing Adam Thompstone is fit again after neck trouble and could return for Leicester's Champions Cup clash with Castres at Welford Road on Saturday.

"It's a real boost that he's coming back to bolster our numbers in the backline and add to the competition for places there," said O'Connor of Thompstone.

"Mike should be fine to play, he's the only casualty from the weekend. We're excited to be back at home, it was a tough afternoon in Paris against a tough side, but the comforts of home are really enjoyable, especially in Europe.

"I've said post-game that qualification from the group will come down to rounds five and six. We've got to improve again and take our game to another level against Castres."