Irish angry as Heaslip allegations prove unfair and unfounded

The Ireland No8 was accused of the offence in the aftermath of his country's heroic 15-10 defeat of the World Champions at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

But the 25-year-old has since been cleared of any wrongdoing by the independent citing commissioner Douglas Hunter.

Heaslip was in inspired form against the Springboks just five months after tasting series defeat against the same opposition with the British & Irish Lions.

But, instead of being able to focus on an outstanding victory and a fine individual performance, Heaslip has instead unfairly received headlines for all the wrong reasons.

"The Six Nations has confirmed to the Irish Rugby Football Union that none of a number of referrals made by South Africa against Ireland players has been upheld by the independent citing commissioner that was present at the game between Ireland and South Africa in Croke Park on Saturday," read an IRFU statement.

"The Ireland management is very disappointed that the name of an Ireland player was subsequently associated with eye gouging in the media as a result of one of these unsubstantiated referrals.

"The Ireland management fully support and believe in the integrity of the citing process in place but believe that any referrals in this process should be made only when they are material and substantial.

"The Ireland management will be making no further comment and consider the matter closed."