Cueto Cleared After Citing

England winger Mark Cueto has been cleared following a dangerous tackle on Berrick Barnes during his sides 27-17 defeat at the hands of the Wallabies.

The Sale star, 30, committed a cynical block as he charged at the Australian centre and failed to wrap his arms in the tackle.

While not punished during the game, the tackle was later cited and Cueto was in front of a disciplinary panel at the Australian Rugby Union offices on Monday.

The judicial officer in charge of the hearing dismissed the charge against the England player, who was accompanied by team manager Martin Johnson and director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.

This should free Cueto to be available for Saturday's second Test in Sydney.

The panel has made the right decision as the challenge while cynical was merely a rush of blood and adrenaline so early on in the game.

While not condoning violence in the sport (there is no place for eye-gouging and dump tackling in the game), there are far worse offences seen in games on a weekly basis.

That being said a man of Cueto's experience should know better but was clearly a result of adrenaline as the winger has an otherwise immaculate disciplinary record.

Elsewhere though, Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip received a five - week ban for kneeing All-Blacks captain Richie McCaw during their 66-28 mauling on Saturday.

While admitting the action, he denied making contact with the skipper. 

Alas his claims fell on deaf ears and will now miss the remainder of Ireland's tour which includes fixtures against New Zealand Maori and the Wallabies.

Under 20's captain Rhys Ruddock will join the team from the  World Under 20's championships in Argentina as cover for the remainder of the tour