England's Nowell hit with misconduct charge after referee criticism

Exeter and England wing Jack Nowell was charged with misconduct by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Tuesday after criticising a referee on Twitter.

The RFU, the English game's governing body, said Nowell had been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and the game and his case would be heard on Wednesday.

Nowell, who is currently out of action through injury, took to social media after Exeter teammate Olly Woodburn received a second yellow card and was sent off during the Chiefs' 62-19 Premiership hammering by Leicester on Sunday.

Nowell and two Exeter teammates who were also not involved in the game – fellow England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Slade – voiced their frustrations after the match.

Nowell appeared to criticise Dickson directly in a since-deleted tweet that said: "I'm actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That's one of the worst decisions I've ever seen. EVER".

Even if Nowell regains full fitness in time, any suspension threatens to sideline him from Exeter's Champions Cup semifinal against La Rochelle in Bordeaux on April 30.

Nowell is set to leave Exeter at the end of this season, with La Rochelle his reported destination.