But with footage of the incident emerging after the citing period of 36 hours was over, the IRB have confirmed that citing officer Scott Nowland will not be able to pursue the matter, meaning that Rougerie will be free to play for Les Bleus in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.

A statement read: “The International Rugby Board can confirm that no action can be taken to initiate a citing case following an alleged act of foul play during the Rugby World Cup 2011 Final on 23 October.

“Mr Nowland has determined that he cannot cite the alleged act of foul play as the footage emerged outside the citing period and he is unable to bring the matter within the exceptional circumstances provisions contained in the Tournament Disciplinary Rules which deal principally with mistaken identity and where further time is required to identify a player who may have committed an act of foul play.

“Both Unions have been advised of the outcome.”

As it stands citing periods can only be extended in cases of mistaken identity, but after this incident the IRB admitted they will review their current policy to ensure instances of serious foul play do not go unpunished.

The statement continued: “The IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited take all acts of foul play seriously. The ongoing review of Regulation 17 governing the disciplinary process will give consideration to Tournament Rules and IRB Regulations to consider either extending the citing periods or widening the remit of the exceptional circumstance provisions to deal with the emergence of evidential materials following the elapse of the citing period.”