RUGBY:An ERC inquiry is certain this week after the Toulouse and former Ireland forward Trevor Brennan climbed into the crowd not long after the start of the second half and appeared to aim blows on a visiting fan during the European Cup Pool Five match against Ulster in Toulouse yesterday. The inquiry will depend on what, if any, footage is available from Canal+.

Ten minutes later Brennan, who was on as a replacement, was shown a yellow card after scuffling with Ulster's Australian captain, Justin Harrison.

That fracas lasted more than a minute despite constant whistle-blowing by the Bath referee Tony Spreadbury and attempts by team-mates to separate the pair. It then resumed on the touchline as they went to the sinbin.

Brennan runs a popular bar, the De Danú, in Toulouse, which was full of Ulster fans on Friday and Saturday night.

According to observers, Toulouse were being baited by visiting fans after Ulster drew level 13-13 with a disputed Paddy Wallace penalty. It seems the abuse, much of it personal, was directed at Brennan.

Brennan moved toward the Ulster section, climbed into the crowd, and threw several punches before leaving, drenched by water thrown by the fans.

A dozen security men moved to the area, but that did not stop Brennan's team-mate Gareth Thomas of Wales from also remonstrating with the crowd.

Brennan had been on the field for only a few minutes when the Harrison tussle began, 10 minutes after the crowd incident. After serving the 10-minute penalty he was replaced by Jean Bouilhou.

"Obviously I can't say what happened before Trevor Brennan came off the bench," said the Ulster coach, Mark McCall, "but we'll be citing Trevor Brennan for punching Justin Harrison.

"That referee Trevor Spreadbury showed both men yellow cards was absolutely disgraceful. It was a red-card offence."

Toulouse coach Guy Noves did not attend the post-match press conference and neither Brennan nor Thomas was made available.

Guardian Service and Irish Times reporters