British and Irish Lions

Bath hooker Lee Mears has been cited for allegedly stamping on Bristol's Joe El Abd during the Guinness Premiership match at Ashton Gate on December 27.

Mears, who was yellow carded by referee Sean Davey, was charged after a report from citing officer John Byett.

The England star has been summoned to appear before an RFU disciplinary panel in Bristol on Thursday January 4.

Mears' England and Bath team-mate Danny Grewcock will also face the panel on the same day to defend himself against a similar alleged incident against Sale.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.