Lam warned about his conduct in wake of Tigers controversy

BRISTOL Bears director of rugby Pat Lam faces no significant disciplinary action following the controversial end of the club’s Round 21 game at Welford Road against Leicester Tigers earlier this month.

Lam has been given just a warning by the RFU following an investigation into the final moments of the game which saw Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick appear to accuse Lam of lying over whether tighthead prop John Afoa was fit to return to the pitch.

After the game Tigers captain Tom Youngs was cited for ‘conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game’, for disrespecting the authority of the match official by swearing at referee Ian Tempest and accusing him of not being strong enough to award a penalty try.

This week Youngs got a two-week suspension. The second week of the ban is suspended until 28 February 2022 on the provision that Youngs completes the England Rugby Refereeing Award Course and referees two community age grade rugby matches before the deadline.

But the RFU investigation into the event concluded no further charges will be brought against anyone else, however warnings and reminders as to future conduct have been made to both Lam and Borthwick.

Lam’s warning by the RFU was for the way he spoke to the referee, asking Tempest in the heat of the moment: “If he gets injured will you take responsibility?”

The warning will stay on his record and could be cited in future disciplinary cases.

Borthwick was given a reminder of the need for good conduct but that will not stay on the former Bristol forward coach’s record.

The RFU considers the matter closed.