Joe Marler is facing the threat of at least one substantial ban, if not two, after being cited for foul play against Wales — and may still be punished for calling Samson Lee ‘gypsy boy’.

On a day when rugby’s disciplinary processes were held up to ridicule, the England loosehead was charged with striking Wales prop Rob Evans in the 15th minute of the RBS Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday, having appeared to escape any further action over the incident.

His forearm smash, picked up by TV cameras, was not mentioned in the citing commissioner’s report on Sunday night but after a deluge of criticism, a charge was brought yesterday morning.

England prop Joe Marler has been cited for allegedly ‘striking an opponent’ in the win over Wales

TV footage showed the loosehead appearing to drive a forearm into Wales prop Rob Evans’ face

A hearing is due to take place tomorrow and a low-end ban would be two weeks, which would rule Marler out of the Grand Slam showdown against France on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Marler must wait to discover if he will face any sanctions for his discriminatory jibe aimed at Lee, the Wales prop who has spoken openly about his traveller background. Six Nations officials claimed there is no time limit in relation to resolving the matter. Any such offence would carry a minimum four-week ban.

Marler reportedly apologised to Lee, unprompted, at half-time and Sportsmail understands that the Scarlets tighthead views the remarks as ‘a bit of banter’ and has not taken offence. However, Wales yesterday reiterated their disapproval and their belief that the episode will be addressed by the authorities.

Backs coach Rob Howley said: ‘There is banter in the game but there is no place for that. We will just wait for that process to finish. This is the first time in my experience with international rugby that it has happened. I’m sure World Rugby will decide, effectively, what to do, and we will support them in whatever that decision is.’

If England are without Marler, Mako Vunipola could step in with Matt Mullan added to the match-day squad

England head coach Eddie Jones was adamant that he had not ordered Marler to apologise, saying: ‘He did it of his own accord.’ The Australian revealed that, after consulting the RFU’s chief executive, he had warned the player about his conduct, adding: ‘I’ve spoken to him.

‘It’s my responsibility. I spoke to Ian Ritchie last night and we had a good discussion. He understands that and supports it accordingly. I’ve dealt with it. Now we’re waiting for the Six Nations to take action.

‘There’s a judicial process in place so we’ll let that run its course. At the moment, Joe is available and he will be available until the judiciary says he’s not.’

Jones was reluctant to be drawn into a discussion about the nature of the remarks but did say: ‘It’s not in the spirit of the game. Joe understands that and that’s why he apologised straight away.

‘We all make mistakes. It was a one-off incident in the heat of the moment and the guy apologised. I’ve never heard, when a sledge has been heard, that a player in the middle of the game apologises for it. It’s a new world, isn’t it?’

England head coach Eddie Jones insisted that Marler has apologised of his own accord

Joseph Jones, a spokesman for the Gipsy Council, told the BBC: ‘When comments are overheard by other people, even if the person saying them isn’t saying them with pure racism at heart, it’s going to be interpreted that way. He (Marler) has put himself in a bad position.’

In the likely event of Marler being ruled out of Saturday’s clash in Paris, England will promote Mako Vunipola to the No 1 shirt and bring Matt Mullan of Wasps on to the bench as loosehead cover.