Sale's Hill accused of fan clash as Bath reach Premiership final

NEWS: Bath reached the English Premiership final with a tense 31-23 win against Sale that was marred by Sharks star Jonny Hill’s alleged clash with a fan after the final whistle on Saturday.

Johann van Graan’s team will face Northampton in their first Premiership final for nine years despite a stirring fightback from Sale at the Recreation Ground.

Sale’s defeat was compounded by claims of an ugly altercation between England lock Hill and a Bath supporter.

Hill, 29, is currently recovering from injury and watched the game with Sale’s coaching team in the main grandstand.

As he left his seat at the end of the game, he walked down the stairs and apparently became involved with the 28-year-old fan, who told reporters Hill “grabbed me around the throat, broke my sunglasses and cut the top of my eye”.

Responding to the allegation, the Sharks said: “Sale are aware of an incident involving a player and Bath Rugby fan at the final whistle of today’s semi-final.

“The club will work with Bath Rugby to complete an investigation into the incident and will provide no further comment at this time.”

Sale rugby director Alex Sanderson added: “It is news to me. Jonny is not the aggressive type and I will answer those questions when I know.

“I can vouch for Jonny’s character. He is not an overly aggressive spiteful person.”