‘You need trust and loyalty’

where the Bristol squad was staying and where it is alleged sensitive details were passed on.

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “I haven’t come across anything like this before. The squad picked it up and the senior players came to me and asked what they should do.

“We investigated internally and we’re going through a disciplinary process with the RFU. He’s suspended until the outcome. If you do your own analysis you probably don’t need the information because most teams do the same things most weeks, but in the same breath you need an element of trust and loyalty.

“When you sign a professional contract, team information is sacrosanct and that can’t be discussed with the opposition – that’s the top and bottom of it. In a player’s contract the passing of information is forbidden. We had to go down this route.”

Bristol caretaker coach Mark Tainton confirmed the two brothers had talked ahead of the match but insisted the contents of their conversation had no bearing on the outcome.

“Tom Arscott and Luke Arscott met at the team hotel, which is not unusual,” said Tainton.

“However, following the conversation between the brothers, nothing was said or passed to the Bristol coaches of any sporting value, nor did it change the strategy in which we approached the game in any way.

“As a club, we are entirely confident that we have not acted in a way that is against the spirit and values of rugby.”