England rugby star Ethan Roots is facing a ban after striking Gloucester hooker Jack Innard in the face during the dying moments of their PREM Rugby clash on Sunday. The New Zealand-born flanker, who has earned four caps for his country, was issued a 20-minute red card by referee Matthew Carley after lashing out at his opponent with the clock deep into the red at the end of the second half at Kingsholm.

While Gloucester managed to hold on for a 34-31 victory, Exeter had fought back to narrow the gap to three points and were searching for a dramatic late winner. As the Chiefs attempted to advance from their own half, however, Roots was brought down by a low tackle from Innard moments after offloading the ball to his team-mate.

Evidently displeased with the challenge, the back-rower immediately struck Innard in the face as he laid defenceless on the turf.

Carley was positioned beside the two players as the incident unfolded and could be heard saying "leave it" to Roots just before he lashed out at his opponent. The sound of the impact could also be heard on the referee's microphone before the official blew his whistle to halt play.

As Innard lay on the ground clutching his face, several of his team-mates, including captain Tomos Williams, reacted furiously towards Roots, with the Wales scrum-half rushing over to confront him before being intercepted by Exeter flanker Tom Hooper.

Williams could be heard on the referee's microphone saying: "That's f***ing s***, that," as Carley told him: "Tomos, Tomos, I've seen it - unless you'd like to join him? Move away, move."

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Although Williams had been the nearest player on the pitch to the incident, Carley proceeded to consult TMO Dean Richards as the Kingsholm crowd called for Roots to be shown a red card.

"Live, I felt like the tackle from the Gloucester player was legal," said the referee. "Then I saw Exeter No.6 lash out with him on the floor, it looked like a striking to the face."

Reviewing the replays, Carley continued: "Yeah, [the tackle] looks legal to me. At worst, there is potentially a knee touching the ground, but penalty only at maximum. Then I would like to see the reaction from Exeter No.6 please."

As Carley requested a further angle of the incident, Richards informed him that only wide-angle footage was available, prompting former Wales captain and TNT pundit Sam Warburton to remark: "I think we need a close up there, to see if [Roots'] elbow touches the face."

Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll, also on punditry duty for TNT, added: "He could not be closer, the referee, he's running past it. So whether it's a closed fist to the face... in real time, he saw what he saw."

Carley ultimately concluded: "He pushes him, he strikes him into the face but we had an open hand. So I'm going to give him a 20-minute red card and that will be the end of the game."

Following Roots' dismissal, Williams kicked the ball into touch to secure victory for George Skivington's side, in what was only their third win of the campaign.

The Exeter man is now expected to receive a ban for his conduct, dealing a further blow to his side after they saw their play-off aspirations damaged by defeat at Kingsholm.