RFU dishes out discipline

 

The contentious West Country derby between Gloucester and Bath, which resulted in two red cards and five yellows, has led to the RFU stepping in to deal with the offenders.

 

Bath edged the home team at Kingsholm, for the first time in eight years, 18 – 17 but it was only through a last minute penalty try awarded to Bath by the referee when Gloucester collapsed a maul. 

 

This provided a spark to the powder keg that had been building up all match as Tavis Knoyle lashed out at Leroy Houston, hitting him in the face. 

 

Houston retaliated, as did Nick Abendanon and a few others.

 

Wigglesworth was red carded as well as Knoyle for being the instigator.

 

Bath head coach Mike Ford said after the game: "What happened at the end with Tavis Knoyle, there is no place for that in the game. He just assaulted one of our players and we had to defend ourselves," 

 

The RFU has been stern in it's discipline of this matter with Knoyle coming off the worst with a four match ban for punching.

 

Paufisi's one week ban was for his high tackle on Nick Abendanon.

 

Abendanon and Paul James have been given post-match Level One citings for retaliating against Knoyle and a stamp on Shaun Knight respectively. 

 

No hearings will be held for these citings.