Cohen-Clerc incident: Northampton winger Ben Cohen has protested his innocence after appearing to kick Toulouse winger Vincent Clerc in the head during last Saturday's European Cup defeat.

The incident happened just before half-time, when the pair clashed and Clerc had to visit the blood bin because of a cut on his head.

But Cohen insists he did nothing wrong, claiming "these things get blown all out of proportion". However, he made no reference to the accusation that he had also punched Clerc.

He said on his personal website, www.ben-cohen.com: "Anyone who looks at the episode again on video will be able to see that the only part of him that my foot made contact with was actually his armpit and that was accidental as I was falling at the time."

Cohen added: "I can't see Toulouse going on to win the European Cup. Although they beat us well they are not world-beaters and I can't help but feel that maybe it's Munster's year.

"They've had a bit of bad luck in the past and they went to Leicester, a difficult place to play at, and did the job well. Hats off to them."

European Rugby Cup confirmed Toulouse have made no official complaint.