Dave Ward incident

[strawclearer]

Neck roll; treading on ankle - yellow cards.

The spit:

Anyone remember when Chris Broad hit his stumps over in anger at being given out? As a Cricket Coach, I had to spend a long time convincing kids this was the wrong thing to do. Good luck to you Rugby Coaches over the next few weeks.

It might be interesting to ask the Head Coach of Guildford RFC what he thinks...

https://www.guildfordrugbyclub.co.uk/teams/1st-xv/

[Mark62]

Did you know that Shields is 0-7 in a Wasps shirt?!

And he was skipper yesterday ahead of Daley. Possible indication of Daley’s move to Saracens

[Scott1]

Daley hasn't been right for ages,petulant,forcing things, making crazy onfield decisions. Hes gone!

[strawclearer]

Harlequins Statement:

FOLLOWING THE PREMIERSHIP MATCH BETWEEN HARLEQUINS AND WASPS AT TWICKENHAM ON 29TH DECEMBER THE CLUB HAS REVIEWED AN INCIDENT INVOLVING DAVE WARD AND THOMAS YOUNG IN THE 10TH MINUTE, WHICH LED TO A YELLOW CARD FOR WARD.

Following this review the Club has decided to give Dave Ward a one game suspension for treading on Thomas Young's ankle.

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: "We have reviewed this episode as a club and I have spoken with Dave.

"We do not coach, condone or accept foul play and on behalf of the team and the Club, I apologise to Thomas, Dai and Wasps for this incident. It was an unnecessary and regrettable incident in what was a tightly contested match at Twickenham."

The Club also reviewed an alleged spitting incident involving Dave Ward and are satisfied that there is no case to answer.

Ward said: "I apologise unreservedly to Thomas Young, Wasps and everyone at Harlequins for my yellow card yesterday.

"I would also like to make clear that I did not spit on another player during the match yesterday. Regardless of what the television footage looks like I know that I have never spat on a player in all my career and will never do so."

[Scott1]

Clever by Gustard! Still needs looking into though

[strawclearer]

He said he had been near the ruck as part of a match which was "all about the search for 5 points".

Asked about the spitting incident, he said he was present at the spot when spit may have been spat but added: "I don't think I was actually involved in it".

[BFG]

What’s everyone’s opinion on this?

In my view, it’s been a bit blown out of proportion, I’ve not seen the spitting so I can’t comment on that but the stamp was hardly a stamp and the way in which Thomas Young reacted the pair should’ve been yellow carded too.

People are also in flames about his earlier neckroll, I’m sorry but if he ends up getting banned for that too that is just bordering on disgraceful, the whole Exeter and Sale team should get banned too if that happens.

Regarding the neck roll, I'd liken the neck roll in seriousness to the seat belt tackle, both need taking out of the game but they are much less dangerous than diving into the ruck off feet or a tackle with direct contact to the head.

Treading on the opposition players ankle was deliberate.
There are enough injuries these days without this kind of thing, we don't need more of it and the players certainly don't, but it's up to the players to decide how they treat eachother as they are the people suffering the consequences of injuries!

I'd suggest you watch the spitting incident, what can't speak can't lie!
It should've been a red card on its own, filthy behaviour that ruined a big rugby occasion.

Combine all three in one match and it does give the impression of a very poor standard of morality!

[Scott1]

Did he spit though or was it a case of say it don't spray it and it flew out of his mouth while shouting something? Not condoning it either way but it can/does happen.

[anz3001]

He definitely spat but is there conclusive evidence it was at/on the player?

[Scott1]

I know he definitely spat but was it as he shouted something or was it a normal spit?

[BFG]

I know he definitely spat but was it as he shouted something or was it a normal spit?

I saw no speech and it looked like spitting to me.
Combined with treading on the players ankle at the same time it looked like a dirty attempt at antagonising the opponent.
In days past self policing would've dealt with this, but that would've created an a extremely nasty brawl.
Today's players are reliant on the officials to do the right thing, they bottled this one in my opinion, the commentators spotted it immediately.

[Scott1]

Thanks BFG,if it is the case let's hope it's a big ban!

[WhitecapTiger]

He definitely spat but is there conclusive evidence it was at/on the player?

To be fair, if Ward's spit hit Young it was clearly by accident because if he aimed for him he'd miss.... cow's posterior and banjo springs to mind.

[Hot_Charlie]

Clever by Gustard! Still needs looking into though

Used to be quite common by Tigers too, although the process is quite slick now so I’m not entirely sure what they hope to achieve, other than reducing the “headline” of the ban by a week (I think he’ll get more than a week).

[Scott1]

Only if they can prove the spitting incident though I think. That "stamp" won't be upgraded to a red imo.