The Ireland prop could be facing a ban after Saturday's incident in Dublin

Former Wales coach Robin McBryde has defended Tadhg Furlong ahead of an upcoming disciplinary hearing, after the Ireland prop was accused of grabbing an opponent's groin.

Munster's Gavin Coombes made the accusation during the weekend's URC clash against Leinster, with Furlong cited as a result on Monday. The 33-year-old prop faces being banned for Ireland's Nations Championship campaign next month.

The incident happened in the 37th minute of Leinster's 24-18 victory at the Aviva Stadium, when Coombes alleged his genitals had been grabbed.

TMO Colin Stanley was asked to review the incident, after Munster captain Tadhg Beirne had brought it to the attention of referee Andrew Brace.

However, no evidence of foul play was found at the time.

A date has not been announced yet for the disciplinary hearing.

But McBryde, who previously worked as Wales' forwards coach, says he would have no hesitation in defending Furlong's character.

“It’s going through that process, so just let it take place, really," said McBryde. "I haven’t spoken to Tadhg.

"There’s a process there for things like this.

“I know Tadhg. If I was to give him a character reference, I wouldn’t hesitate.

"He’s got no history of anything like that.”

He added: “We’re playing guessing games if anybody wants to comment on it, other than Tadhg, really. Just let the process take its course.

“You’d like to think that the good character Tadhg has shown over all the years… to my knowledge, nothing like this has come his way.

"So, you know, I’d be confident in that. It is what it is.”

McBryde added that he has not had a chance to look at the footage closely, instead focusing on Leinster's next match against Connacht on Friday night.

“I didn’t chase it,” he said. “The process is there. I’ve got bigger fish to fry, we’ve got Connacht coming on Friday.

"Connacht have built up a head of steam and are going well. They’ll be happy to get us.”

He also claimed that discipline remained essential at the Dublin province.

“If you haven’t got discipline, you’re not going to win anything or get into finals,” he said. “Because it’s massive desperation when you give away red cards, yellow cards; you’re not in control of things

“Listen, in the big games, things happen. There’s a process there to go through, so just let that process go.”