Lancaster feels Tuilagi tackle will not be cited

Lancaster has also stated he expects Toby Flood to be fit, despite the injured Leicester fly-half being withdrawn from both the Aviva Premiership semi-final and Saturday’s final.

Phil Dowson took a heavy blow to the head during England’s victory over the Barbarians yesterday but Lancaster expects he will also be available to tour.

Tuilagi was penalised in the second minute of Leicester’s Premiership final defeat to Harlequins for lifting Care off the Twickenham turf in a tackle.

Rugby’s disciplinary authorities are hot on incidents such as this and the citing officer has four working days from receipt of the match video.

But Lancaster is hopeful Tuilagi will not be cited and therefore remain free for selection for England’s three-Test series with the Springboks.

“We have not heard anything. Looking at the incident I am pretty confident he will be fine but we will wait and see,” Lancaster said.

“Phil Dowson had a bang to the head but he is up and walking around in the changing room. We have some time before the first Test but at the moment he is looking okay.

“Toby hurt his groin kicking prior to the game and Leicester chose not to risk him. He will turn up in camp (today) and we fully expect to take him on the tour.”

Tom Williams scored Quins’ opening try in the final, while fly-half Nick Evans added 20 points from the boot and captain Chris Robshaw sealed an immense season for club and country with a clinching touchdown.

For Leicester, defeat was their fifth in eight successive Premiership final appearances.