"Long ban incoming" - England forward cited for allegedly biting opponent

The alleged incident occurred in the 69th minute of Sale’s win at the Twickenham Stoop, with Jibulu coming up against his former club.

The 23-year-old will attend the hearing via video conference after being cited for contravening Law 9.12, which states that a player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes biting. The entry point for such an offence starts at 12 weeks, with the maximum sanction stretching to 208 weeks (four years).

Jibulu escaped punishment during the match, having come off the bench in the second half and initially featuring in the back row.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson revealed after the game that England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie may have suffered a fractured arm despite scoring twice against Harlequins.

If Jibulu is handed a ban, Sale will head to Dublin to face Leinster in the quarter-finals without their two first-choice hookers, adding to an already growing injury list.

With Cowan-Dickie potentially sidelined, a place could open up in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the upcoming summer fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. Jibulu, who has featured for England A this season, would have been among the contenders—but a lengthy suspension could end those chances.

Jibulu is considered one of Sale’s emerging forwards, capable of covering both hooker and back row. After coming through at Harlequins, he has impressed since moving to Sale and has been pushing for higher honours following his England A appearances.