English Premiership: London Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio was keen to play down an apparent "gouging" incident following his side's 32-25 victory over Gloucester at the Causeway Stadium yesterday.
Dallaglio was involved in an off-the-ball scuffle with Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell late on in the match, and a photograph appeared to show a Gloucester player's hand close to the Wasps captain's eye.
Dallaglio was left with bruising to his face, but he dismissed any suggestion of foul play.
Ironically, last week Wasps players were accused by the Llanelli coaching staff of targeting the face of Llanelli flanker Simon Easterby. "I'm not one to complain, I don't know what happened," he said. "I can still see and I am not going to worry about it. Rather like I didn't gouge anyone last week, I suspect no one gouged me this week."
Dallaglio was happier to concentrate on Wasps' impressive performance in the opening half. They scored four tries in 40 minutes. "We played with a lot pace and a lot of intensity and we had won the game after the first half an hour," Dallaglio added. "We were a little bit negative in the second half, but the referee missed an obvious try which would have sewn the game up for us, and I felt that their last try had three knock-ons in it."
Northampton Saints became the latest Premiership side to leave empty-handed from Sale Sharks' fortress Edgeley Park. Unbeaten at home this season, Sale enter the New Year still top of the Premiership with a 34-14 victory over the depleted Saints side. Hampered by injuries to key players, with Ben Cohen, Sean Lamont, Steve Thompson, captain Carlos Spencer and David Quinlan all missing, Northampton did little to worry Sharks' full-strength team.
The boot of England outhalf Charlie Hodgson proved decisive in Sharks' victory posting seven penalties, while rival kicker Bruce Reihana failed to capitalise on Sale infringements, sending four kicks off target.
Bath stole Worcester's unbeaten home record in the Premiership with an emphatic 36-18 win at Sixways. Outhalf Chris Malone scored two tries and Gareth Delve wrapped things up in injury time with a 70-metre interception score as Bath finally found good form in the league to ease their relegation worries.
Worcester, strangely lacking in ambition, were ahead midway through the second half but Olly Barkley's goal-kicking eased Bath back in front before a late flurry of points sealed victory.
The Warriors, seeking their seventh win in a row in all competitions at Sixways, had to take the field without England flanker Pat Sanderson, who is nursing a back strain. Bath, with Alex Crockett back at outside centre after being cup-tied in Europe, were able to pair England locks Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick after rotating players in the Heineken European Cup.
