Heineken Cup

The Ospreys, who have already survived one European investigation, are once again facing possible Heineken Cup expulsion - this time for fielding an ineligible player, Springbok scrumhalf Ricky Januarie.

The Welsh region has been in hot water recently in the wake of a controversial win over the Leicester Tiger, when Lee Byrne entered the field as the 16th player.

The ERC launched an inquiry into the incident at Liberty Stadium, and although the club and Byrne copped fines, the Ospreys' participation in the tournament wasn't affected.

According to the Guardian, that participation is under threat once more , as the European Rugby Cup Ltd - at the request of organisation that represents England's Guinness Premiership clubs -    has launched an inquiry into the eligibility of Januarie, who joined the Ospreys on loan from the Cape Town-based Stormers.

The rules for eligibility allow for each participating club to add one player to their squad during the pool stages, however it is stipulated that the player in question must "have at least a three-month contract with the club".

Januarie signed for the Ospreys on 26 November and returned to South Africa on 25 January, two months later, having played in their final four Heineken Cup pool matches.

The term of the loan deal is being examined by ERC. If the Ospreys are deemed to have broken the rules, a disciplinary panel will be convened to hear the case. It would have the power to impose sanctions ranging from a fine to a points deduction or outright expulsion. The latter is the normal penalty for sides in cup competitions who field ineligible players.

If expulsion was the decision, it would throw this season's Heineken Cup quarter-finals into chaos, with Leicester taking the eighth-seed spot and Northampton, currently England's sole quarter-final representatives, moving up to seventh.

Two ties would need to be rescheduled, with Leicester going to Munster instead of Northampton, who would tackle Biarritz rather than the Ospreys.