London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn needed hospital treatment after part of his ear was bitten off in the match with Bath.

Referee, Ashley Rowden said: "It was like Tyson v Holyfield."

Fenn was taken to hospital for intensive treatment following the Tetley Bitter Cup fourth round 24-23 defeat at Bath, having had the wound stitched by London Scottish's medical team.

Rowden said it appeared that part of Fenn's left ear-lobe had been bitten away. He did not see the incident occur, but he issued a general warning to Bath captain Andy Nicol after two or three Scottish players had informed him of Fenn's injury.

Officials from Bath and Scottish were discussing the Recreation Ground incident, but Fenn was instructed to make no comment as he left the ground for hospital.

"I have been told to make no comment. My ear is torn, and I'm on my way to hospital," said the 26-year-old Australian, who was making his full London Scottish debut.

Scottish rugby director John Steele said: "We will have to see what comes out of the talks. At this stage I can not say any more than that, but would expect us to issue some kind of statement tomorrow."

Rowden said: "As far as I'm concerned, biting is the most heinous thing that could ever happen on a rugby field. Had I seen the player involved then, then there is no question that I would have sent him off.

"In my experience as a referee, I have never experienced anything like it. The player clearly was missing some part of his ear lobe. It's similar to what happened when boxers Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield fought last year.

"It looked quite bad to me. There was a lot of blood, and the ball is now clearly in Scottish's court. It is up to them whether they take any further action."

Fenn, visibly shocked by the whole affair, displayed a huge bandage on the left side of his face. His misfortune took the gloss off a memorable Scottish performance, which saw them push Bath all the way before conceding defeat to an injury time Jon Callard penalty.

Referees can only compile a report to the Rugby Football Union if they have issued a yellow or red card, and as that was not the case with Fenn's injury, there appears little more that the official can do.

It is also doubtful whether video footage would have captured the incident, which occurred on the blindside after a scrum had gone to ground.

Bath will carry out their own thorough investigations. Their inquiries got under way almost immediately as coach Andy Robinson and Chief Executive Tony Swift began debating the subject.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©