England inside centre Piers Francis has been cleared to continue to play in the Rugby World Cup after a disciplinary panel dismissed a citing for a dangerous tackle in his team’s match with the United States.

Francis was cited for his challenge on American Will Hooley straight from the opening kickoff of their Pool C game in Kobe on Thursday.

While referee Nic Berry opted not to review the tackle at the time, TV replays showed Francis’s shoulder appeared to catch the US fullback in the jaw and he was cited to appear before the panel on Sunday.

A World Rugby disciplinary panel said the tackle should have resulted in an on-field yellow card but and did not meet the red card threshold.

Francis is the first player to face the disciplinary panel at the World Cup and not receive a suspension.

Australia’s Reece Hodge, Samoa pair Rey Lee-lo and Motu Matu’u were all cited for high tackles and received three-game suspensions.

US flanker John Quill was also given a three-game suspension after he was the first player sent off in the tournament for a shoulder charge on England’s Owen Farrell in the same game.

Uruguay hooker Facundo Gattas is also likely to face a disciplinary hearing after he was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes for a high, no-arms tackle with about three minutes remaining in his side’s loss to Georgia in Kumagaya on Sunday.