AN investigation has been launched by rugby’s governing body to uncover what caused the homophobia storm in Worcester Warriors’ battle with Sale Sharks.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) are understood to be looking into the allegation made by Worcester fly-half Jamie Shillcock in the 58-25 defeat at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

The 20-year-old stand-off remonstrated with the touch judge on 55 minutes before speaking to referee Andrew Jackson, claiming he had heard a “homophobic slur” used “twice” by an unidentified Sale player.

The complaint was picked up on the ref link which is available for spectators to listen to and in the live match commentary, leading to the RFU’s enquiry.

The Worcester News understands the discipline department are now talking to match officials and members of each team to find out what prompted Shillcock’s accusation.

If there is no clear audio evidence, it is believed a lip reader could even be used to discover what was said from the footage.

According to RFU’s citing procedures, the citing commissioner has 24 hours from the end of the match to make a citing of foul play in the Aviva Premiership.

However, if there is a disrepute charge there is no timeframe.

A spokesman from Warriors confirmed the matter was being dealt with by the RFU.

Immediately after the match Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons and Sale chief Steve Diamond said they were unaware of the incident.

“I don’t know anything about it,” Solomons said.

“There is a good citing process and I think we will leave that to the citing commissioner to deal with.”

“I have not heard anything,” said Diamond on the accusation of a homophobic slur.

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud was banned for three weeks following the use of a homophobic slur towards Benetton lock Sebastian Negri in the European Champions Cup at Stade Félix Mayol in January.