World Rugby has stepped in to deal with Joe Marler after the Six Nations failed to punish the England prop for his derogatory "gypsy boy" comment.
Marler received only a reprimand after insulting Welsh opponent Samson Lee during England's victory at Twickenham this month.
A WR statement said Marler's comments "amount to misconduct and/or a breach of the code of conduct under World Rugby Regulation 20 and should have been considered by an independent process.
"In the absence of such a process by Six Nations Rugby, World Rugby is exercising its right to take appropriate action before an independent judicial committee."
England coach Eddie Jones took his frontrower to task, and Marler apologised to Lee during the game, and in private afterwards. England chief executive Ian Ritche believes the apologies meant the matter had been dealt with sufficiently.
