England and Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi is free to tour South Africa next months after his citing for a dangerous 'tip' tackle on Harlequins' Danny Care was dismissed.

The incident occured in Saturday's Premiership final and the England centre is now free to join up with the England squad who will fly out to South Africa on Wednesday.

Tuilagi's case was heard by Christopher Quinlan QC in Bristol after he was charged with a breach of law 10.4.

The 21-year-old Samoan-born back headlines after England's quarter-final exit in the Rugby World Cup by jumping off a boat in Auckland Harbour.

Last May Tuilagi missed Leicester's previous Premiership final against Saracens because of a ban after he punched Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton in the semi-final at Welford Road.

An RFU statement said: "A citing charge brought against Manusamoa Tuilagi of Leicester Tigers was tonight dismissed.

"An RFU disciplinary panel of Christopher Quinlan QC (chair), Dan White and Nick Dark was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the referee was wrong in not sending the player off for a tackle on Harlequins' Danny Care during the Premiership final between the teams on May 26.

"Tuilagi is therefore free to continue playing and will fly out to South Africa with the England squad tomorrow evening (Wednesday)."

England travel to South Africa next month to play five matches in what is Stuart Lancaster's first tour as coach.