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Wasps pair Barrow and Atkinson learn disciplinary hearing result
By Liam Heagney
Wasps pair Scott Barrow, the backs transition coach, and head of performance Pete Atkinson will both serve one-match bans next Sunday at Saracens following their appearance at a virtually held RFU disciplinary hearing following separate incidents in last Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership home loss to Exeter.
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The RFU said when citing Barrow that he had been charged for interfering with play by back-heeling the ball away from the pitch and blocking an Exeter player from retrieving the ball in the second half.
Henry Slade went after a ball that had been thrown away by a Wasps player when Barrow, who was standing behind the posts, found himself in the England centre’s way. A tussle ensued which then ignited a larger scuffle against the sponsor boards involving around 20 players.
After getting a rundown of the incident from the TMO, referee Wayne Barnes was heard saying: “That water carrier over there does not come back on the pitch.”
Atkinson, meanwhile, was called to answer for comments made towards Barnes following an Exeter first-half try in a match that the Chiefs won by 27-23. Both individuals were charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game, contrary to RFU rule 5.12.
'Like I say, my fault' – Jacques Nienaber has explained what went on behind the scenes leading up to the incident between Matthew Carley and the Springboks waterboy #Springboks https://t.co/TbH8s3Qhrw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 3, 2021
Both coaches accepted the charges and the independent disciplinary panel comprising Mike Hamlin (chair) with Gareth Graham and Mitch Read said: “Barrow and Atkinson attended the hearing and admitted their misconduct. They were each suspended for a period of one week from attending the game in any other capacity than as a spectator.
“They will also be required to deliver a presentation to the non-playing members of Wasps staff on the Premiership regulations (schedule two) relating to the operation of technical areas for matches, and also how their own off-field conduct was contrary to the values of the game. The full facts and findings will be in the full written judgment published in due course.”
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"I was like, 'I'm a tighthead prop, do I really want to come across as this guy who has all these deep feelings?'"@WaspsRugby forward @biyialo expected ridicule when he started his music career. Instead, he found support, writes @heagneyl ??? #WASvNOR https://t.co/w8UZHVeBi6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 10, 2021
