WORCESTER HUNT THE ‘LASER LOUTS’
WORCESTER are threatening four fans with bans after a laser was shone at Harlequins players during their match last Saturday.
Quins complained that during their 18-16 European Challenge Cup win over the Warriors, four men in the crowd were attempting to disrupt their kickers.
Images showed a green flash across the ball as Quins fly-half Demetri Catrakilis kicked the winning penalty at Sixways.
Worcester have used CCTV to isolate the men they believe may be the culprits. ‘ We are working closely with Harlequins and Premiership Rugby to investigate what is a very serious matter,’ said Warriors operations director Peter Kelly.
‘We have identified four male spectators who occupied seats in the front row of the central block of the East Stand. Those seats were unsold, which suggests that the four men in question had purchased seats elsewhere.
‘We have clear CCTV footage of them which we are making public in the hope that other spectators can help us to identify and trace them. If we can do that, and they are found to have used a laser to distract players, then they can expect to receive a lengthy ban.’
Meanwhile, Owen Farrell will return to captain Saracens against Newcastle this Saturday, a week after the birth of his first child. Farrell, 27, missed Sarries’ 56-27 European Champions Cup quarter-final win over Glasgow last weekend as his wife Georgie gave birth to a son, Tommy.
But he is back for his first club game since January 13 and will lead the side in the absence of Brad Barritt, who sprained his ankle against Glasgow.
Director of rugby Mark McCall said: ‘After the Six Nations the important thing for us was that Owen was mentally fresh and looking forward to playing games for us, and having not played for a couple of weeks he is absolutely dying to get out there.
‘It’s important he gets a big game under his belt before the semi-final against Munster.’
Billy Vunipola and Jamie George will be rested while Mako Vunipola could return for the Bristol game on Saturday week after injuring his ankle on England duty.