PARIS (Reuters) – England captain Phil Vickery has been cited for kicking Paul Emerick during his side's 28-10 victory over the United States on Saturday and could miss Friday's key group clash with South Africa.

World Cup organisers said yesterday that the prop had been cited for the incident when he appeared to trip Emerick as the centre made a break in the first half. Vickery was reported by New Zealander Steven Heines, the match citing commissioner, who under tournament rules had to decide if the incident would have merited a red card had the referee seen it.

Asked about the incident on Saturday, Vickery said: "It was just instinctive to try to stop him, unfortunately I tapped him, luckily he got up. There was certainly no malice on my part." England coach Brian Ashton was expected to name his team for the Pool A match in Paris today but might now delay it to await the outcome of Vickery's hearing. Emerick was also cited for a late spear tackle on Olly Barkley, even though he was sin-binned for the offence.