London Irish look set to escape punishment over the incident which saw Harlequins team manager Mike Scott spat at during Sunday's Premiership encounter at the Madejski Stadium.

Scott was forced to move from his seat in the stand to the visitors' dug-out following the attack, which was preceded by some verbal abuse.

However, Quins, who drew the game 18-18 to enhance their chance of top flight survival, will not be making a formal complaint to the English Rugby Football Union, therefore the matter is unlikely to be taken any further.

"It's not pleasant when someone spits at you, but the whole London Irish club cannot be held responsible for one or two isolated incidents," said Scott.

Meanwhile, London Irish's Barry Everitt has landed the Premiership player of the month award for March. The Exiles' 26-year-old outhalf leads the top-flight points-scoring charts this term and has also guided the Reading-based club into a top four spot.

Everitt will receive the award today when he is expected to be named in coach Brendan Venter's side to face Northampton in Saturday's Cup final at Twickenham.

Italy prop Salvatore Perugini will miss his country's tour of New Zealand because of his failed appeal against his 20-week ban.

The L'Aquila forward, suspended for a head-butt on Ireland's Peter Stringer in their Six Nations encounter, had been led to believe his punishment would be stopped to allow him to go to New Zealand at the end of May.

However, the Six Nations Committee yesterday confirmed that the ban would rule him out of the tour, as well as the start of the Italian season.