LEICESTER boss Richard Cockerill is braced for the loss of Manu Tuilagi for next week's Premiership Final against Saracens.

Tuilagi will spend his 20th birthday in front of an RFU disciplinary panel today, having been charged with punching Northampton's Chris Ashton in the semi-final.

"He reacted poorly and threw a punch. You can't do that," said Cockerill.

"The rules say if you strike, or punch a player, you get a red card. I expect he will get a sanction." Cockerill does not expect one himself for the final on May 28, despite heavy criticism of his behaviour against Saints.

He raged at some refereeing decisions, but claimed he had "no case to answer", as "I was not aggressive to anyone".