Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong could face a ban after being cited over a claim that he grabbed the groin of Gavin Coombes during Leinster’s United Rugby Championship win over Munster rugby.

Coombes made the suggestion that he had been grasped by an opposition player to referee Andrew Brace during the game at the Aviva Stadium, but television match official (TMO) Colin Stanley could not find any footage.

Furlong has now been cited under Law 9.27, which states that “a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals”.

He could now face a sanction after a disciplinary hearing to be held at a later date in a possible blow to Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the Nations Championship’s resumption next weekend.

"All I know is that I back our players 100% that if they make an allegation like that, they wouldn't do it lightly," Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said of Coombes’ allegation. "He's not that sort of person, Gavin, so we'll see where that goes."

Leinster counterpart Leo Cullen suggested that he had not seen the incident.

“Obviously, once that accusation is made, it becomes a serious matter for the citing commissioner,” Cullen said. "My comment is not going to help in any way here, but from what I've seen, I can't see anything."

Leinster travel to Connacht on Friday night, with Munster facing the Sharks in their final game before the November Tests. Ireland open their campaign against Argentina on Friday 6 November.