EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL CLUB Rugby [EPCR] are set to investigate second-half “incidents” which occurred during Munster’s defeat to Saracens yesterday.
The English side were 15-6 winners in their heated Heineken Champions Cup clash at Allianz Park, with a scuffle breaking out in the second half.
After the game, Saracens boss Mark McCall said the club would consider their next move after Munster’s head of medical, Jamie Kearns, was involved in an exchange with hooker Jamie George.
The Saracens director of rugby claimed a “horrible” comment had been directed at George. In turn, the incident sparked a large-scale scuffle between Saracens and Munster players.
“From what I know, something pretty bad was said at Jamie,” McCall said afterwards. “He wouldn’t have reacted the way he reacted otherwise. We’ll take our time to decide whether we do anything.
“Clearly it shouldn’t happen, we all know that. I don’t think what was said to Jamie was good at all. We’ll see. If a doctor… we just have to decide because it started a 30-man brawl.
Owen Farrell got penalised for running into the melee but from what I saw 29 other people ran into it. It was a strange penalty to give and it was instigated by a member of their staff who said something horrible to one of our players. We’ll decide what happens next.
Saracens assistant coach Alex Sanderson told BT Sport that the Munster medic had made a derogatory comment about George’s weight.
Ahhh come on now, we love seeing you! 😉
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) December 14, 2019
Good game guys. Safe trip back! 👊
This afternoon, EPCR — the Champions Cup organisers — confirmed that they will look into the incident.
A statement read: “EPCR has decided to investigate incidents which occurred during the second half of the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match between Saracens and Munster Rugby at Allianz Park yesterday (Saturday, 14 December).
“Information will now be sought from the match officials and from both clubs, and EPCR will be making no further comment until the investigation has been completed.”
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