Ashton accused of biting as Saints fall
THE bad blood between Saracens and Northampton spilled over into yesterday’s Premiership clash at Allianz Park with Northampton prop Alex Waller and Saracens wing Chris Ashton at the centre of a tempestuous match.
Waller, who was sinbinned in the second-half for an off-the-ball dumptackle on Saracens and England hooker Jamie George, which ultimately cost his side the game, insisted after the match that he had been bitten on the hand.
Photographic evidence suggested that the culprit might have been Ashton, with images published of the Saracens winger’s mouth apparently in contact with Waller’s hand at a breakdown. Waller had discussed the incident with referee Greg Garner as the teams left the field at half-time, with the official
telling him that it would be looked at.
The disciplinary process is now in the hands of citing officer Mike Rafter, with the former England flanker having 24 hours in which to decide whether there is a case to answer.
Afterwards Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder confirmed that Waller had reiterated the biting allegation: “He just repeated what he said to the referee in that ‘I’ve been bitten on the hand’, yes.”
However, Mallinder said that it did not excuse, or have a direct influence, on Waller’s 55th minute sinbinning. Nor Sam Dickinson’s yellow card
“They are tough enough to beat when you have 15 men but when you are down to 14 for 20 minutes you are really up against it. I thought we did really well for 55 minutes or so. Then a moment of madness from Alex Waller started our downfall. It was a tough physical match. He sort of got charged into. He took it too far.
“Alex’s discipline is normally good...but in high intensity big games you sometimes go over the edge.”
Saracens rugby director Mark McCall, whose European and English champions dominated the second half to win 27-12, agreed that Ashton might find himself in disciplinary strife.
McCall said: “I’ve yet to review the tape. I suppose there is a good chance Chris will be cited.” The Saracens winger – was banned for 10 weeks last season for gouging Ulster centre Luke Mark.