Australian back-row forward George Smith was Wednesday cleared of striking an opponent while playing for Wasps on Saturday, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced.

The 35-year-old former Wallaby appeared before a three-man RFU disciplinary panel after being cited for allegedly striking James Hook in the side of the head with his knee in the second half of Wasps' 13-10 Premiership defeat against Gloucester.

"The case was dismissed. Smith is free to play again immediately," said an RFU statement.

The 111-time capped flanker has been one of the star performers for Wasps this season, particularly in the absence of England internationals James Haskell and Matt Mullan.

He was named the Premiership player of the month in February.

Smith, who played for the Brumbies in his homeland before moving to France in 2010 to play for Toulon, has been taking coaching sessions for England this season, alongside the national team's Australian head coach Eddie Jones.

He has also played for Stade Francais and Lyon in France and Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
Source: AFP