France Hero Baby Is Cited

Benoit Baby – the RBS Man-of-the-match at Lansdowne Road on Saturday – has been cited for an apparent headbutting incident involving the French centre and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.

The 21-year-old Toulouse star – who scored a crucial 32nd-minute try which inspired France to their 26-19 win – spoiled his Test debut by attempting to headbutt O’Driscoll at a 47th-minute ruck.

Television cameras picked up on the incident and following consultation with his linesman, English referee Tony Spreadbury awarded a penalty to the home side.

Ronan O’Gara duly slotted the place-kick to reduce arrears to 18-12.

Baby – a replacement for Ludovic Valbon (thigh) late last week – has been brought to task by Scotland’s Bill Dunlop, the independent Citing Commissioner.

His hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 16, with the three-man Discipline Committee chaired by Robert Horner of England.

Baby, in referring to the incident, admitted to journalists afterwards: “I knew immediately I shouldn’t have done that. For a while, I really thought I would get a yellow card. It would have been a disaster for my first cap.”