Sale Sharks winger Chris Ashton will face a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he was cited for a tip tackle made in a pre-season friendly.
It was reported that the England international had punched Castres' Rory Kockott, but new video footage has emerged that shows a dangerous lift by the 31-year-old.
Ashton could now miss the opening five matches of the new Premiership season as a result, with bans for tip tackles starting at six weeks.
In a statement, the RFU said: "Ashton was shown a red card by referee Roman Poite in the 46th minute of the pre-season fixture between Castres Olympique and Sale Sharks on Friday, 17 August 2018.
"This was for a tip tackle on Rory Kockott contrary to law 9.18 (a player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground)."
The red card came in his second game for Sale following a summer move from French team Toulon.
