Alesana Tuilagi was indicted following Samoa’s Pool B defeat to Japan at the weekend. The veteran Newcastle Falcons wing struck Japan’s Harumichi Tatekawa with his knee in the second minute and this has led to his suspension after this was deemed as an act of foul play.

Tuilagi denied any act of foul play, however he was found to be guilty by the citing commissioner. The news will be welcomed by Scotland who require a win against the Pacific Islanders to take them into the quater-final stages.

In a blow to Newcastle Falcons, Tuilagi will now miss the first four English Premiership games. Falcons face Gloucester, Northampton, Exeter and Worcester before he is free to play on 10 November.

The ban has caused a stir on social media and has been ridiculed by players. London Irish winger Alex Lewington called the ban “ridiculous”.

Whilst former England and Bath prop is clearly quite happy to be retired…

Below is the knee strike action by Tuilagi on Tatekawa that was deemed to be a foul play offence by World Rugby.

However Wales Online’s correspondent Simon Thomas has urged to look at the incident closely when the replay is slowed down.

Maybe today Jonu Lomu would have recieved a life time ban for this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPMZrPjW5cs

What do you think? Should Tuilagi have been banned, or is this another example of over-zealous officiating? Let us know on Twitter @Rugbyworldmag