White was recalled to the England squad earlier this week ahead of this year's Six Nations Championship © Getty Images

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Teams: England | Leicester Tigers | Ospreys | Wales

Leicester prop Julian White faces investigation by European Rugby Cup disciplinary chiefs after being accused of eye-gouging in the aftermath of his side's Heineken Cup defeat to Ospreys.

Furious Ospreys coaches Sean Holley and Jonathan Humphreys spoke out after the Welsh side secured a 15-9 Heineken Cup victory at the Liberty Stadium. Leicester secured a quarter-final place as Pool Three winners courtesy of their losing bonus point, but the Ospreys could still progress as one of two best runners-up.

Tigers forward White, who was recalled to the England Elite Squad earlier this week as replacement for the suspended Matt Stevens, could now find himself in hot water if the Ospreys opt to push for a citing.

Ospreys can make their views known to the match citing commissioner, who will make the final decision on whether any further action is taken. If White eventually faces a disciplinary hearing, he could be hit with a lengthy ban.

Ospreys assistant coach Humphreys said: "We've got a couple of players in our changing room with marks around the eyes. There were a couple of incidents at Welford Road (when the teams meet in October) with Julian [White], but we didn't go down the citing line.

"It is disappointing it happens, and disappointing it happens with the same guy. It seems to be becoming part of the game, and there are a few guys in there who are upset with Julian."

Ospreys head coach Holley added: "We know it happens, and we've got to question is it acceptable? If it warrants a citing, we will certainly do it this time. Apparently, there is some footage. The evidence is quite clear. I think we have a duty to eradicate this from our game."

Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard was extremely animated at one point in the game, and Holley said: "He is one of our players particularly disturbed by this."

Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill said he "had no knowledge" of any alleged incidents involving White.

Gouging is regarded as one of the most serious offences in the game and if found guilty White could be suspended for several months. Leicester's Seru Rabeni was banned for 14 weeks last season for gouging Saracens' Andy Kyriacou and England hooker Dylan Hartley served a ban of six months last year for the same charge.

The 35-year-old White was given a 10-week suspension in 2002 for a head-butt when playing for Bristol. In 2005, he was given an eight-week suspension after being dismissed for fighting in a Guinness Premiership match. He is due to leave with the England party for Portugal tomorrow and a week's warm-weather training ahead of the Six Nations.