Saracens breathed a huge sigh of relief on Tuesday night as Billy Vunipola was cleared of intentionally headbutting Mathew Tait — leaving the No 8 free to face Clermont Auvergne in Saturday ’ s Champions Cup semi-final . An RFU disciplinary panel dismissed a charge that Vunipola had recklessly led with his head in a incident which left the Leicester full back prone on the ground following a clash last weekend . Saracens are the last remaining English club in the competition and would have appealed against the decision if their in-form England star had been banned . Billy Vunipola trains in the spring sunshine on Tuesday as Saracens prepare for Saturday 's clash . The England No 8 had been cited for striking Leicester full back Matehw Tait with his head . ‘ As a club we have respect for the disciplinary processes which are in place but at the same time we are surprised , ’ said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall on Tuesday before the verdict . ‘ He ’ s been charged with a strike to the head . It ’ s got to be intentional but everyone can see that it isn ’ t . There are enough camera angles to see that Billy ’ s eyes stay firmly on the ball . ‘ If it ’ s not intentional , the next argument is “ was it reckless ? ” But Billy is decelerating into the contact . ‘ He ’ s in a great driving position and his feet are in contact with the ground . There ’ s no recklessness involved . It was just an accidental clash of heads. ’ Vunipola and his team-mates appear to be having fun in training as he awaited the RFU verdict . Leicester ’ s Vereniki Goneva received a one-week ban for striking Saracens flanker Kelly Brown in the same game . Meanwhile , Saracens are considering picking exciting 20-year-old forward Maro Itoje in their back row alongside Vunipola . Itoje , who captained England Under 20s ’ World Cup winning side last year , signed a new contract on Tuesday and has been touted as a possible bolter for the senior squad at this year ’ s tournament . ‘ It ’ s exciting , ’ Itoje said . ‘ I feel like I ’ ve progressed a lot this season. ’ Former England Under 20s captain Maro Itoje has signed a new long-term contract at Saracens .
Billy Vunipola was cited for clash of heads with Leicester 's Mathew Tait . RFU disciplinary panel have deemed the clash was accidental . Vunipola free to play in one-week's Champions Cup quarter-final . Saracens lock Maro Itoje has signed a new long-term deal at the club .