Rugby:Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris accused an England player of biting his finger during Saturday's Six nations match at Twickenham. The allegation was made to referee Nigel Owens in the 28th minute of England's 30-9 victory.

Owens did not see the incident but confirmed to the two captains, Chris Robshaw and Rory Best, that it would be looked into after the match.

England will know by Monday evening whether a citing has been brought by the independent match commissioner.

Addressing Robshaw and Best, Owens said: “I have an accusation of biting, a clear mark on the finger. I did not see something. If I do it will be dealt with severely, which would be a red card.

“It could be dealt with afterwards. If it is seen it will be dealt with. I did not see it. Have a word. Nothing like that takes place in this game. I can only deal with what I see. Have a word please. I have had a look. Unless I can see it, it’s been dealt with, okay?”

As the two forward packs then set themselves for a scrum, Owens added: “This game is difficult enough without stuff like that, is that clear?”

Owens then approached Ferris while he was receiving treatment from the physio and said: “I have done all I can. It has been noted. If I don’t see it I can’t do nothing about it. It has been spoken about and dealt with.”

Robshaw insisted after the game that he had not seen anything untoward on the pitch.

Asked how he would react if one of England’s players had bitten an opponent, Robshaw said: “It is one of those things we will have to address when we meet up, but at the moment it is innocent until proven guilty, so to speak. We will see what happens.”

Under International Rugby Board regulations, the lowest entry level suspension for biting is 12 weeks with the maximum being four years.