Irish outrage as 'The Claw' is bitten

Munster are preparing to call for an investigation into the biting of Ireland prop Peter 'The Claw' Clohessy during their European Cup tie in France against Castres.

A member of Ireland's Grand Slam-busting team against England three months ago, Clohessy has accused the French club's African back-row forward, Ismael Lassissi, of biting his left arm. The Irish province is expected to make a formal citing of foul play before the 48-hour deadline runs out this afternoon.

The incident will drag rugby through the mud again after a week in which Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam pleaded guilty to spitting in an opponent's face and the RFU took steps to put a High Court judge in charge of their inquiry into Newcastle's allegation of racial abuse.

'This is beyond the bounds of acceptability,' said a Munster spokesman. 'The matter is still under review and no decision has been made but it will have to be brought to the attention of the authorities.

'This is the first biting incident we have had and we owe it to our players to do something. There is no doubt that Peter was bitten. There are very clear teeth marks on his arm. The bite drew blood and was quite ugly.

'Claw is a tough player who can take it and give it but not this. He was extremely annoyed and angry. We are awaiting a medical report on the extent of the injury.'

The referee, England's Tony Spreadbury, did not see the incident. 'The game was going along nicely with discipline really good until Clohessy comes out of a ruck or a scrum, I can't remember which, and says: "I've been bitten".

'He shows me the wound and says to me: "It was the No.8 who did it". I got the physio on and called for a doctor, who confirmed to me that it was a human bite. I spoke to both captains and told them: "If I had seen one player bite another, he would have been straight off".'

Biting carries a suspension, as recommended under international rules, which varies from one year to three. The last high-profile case in Britain resulted in the former Bath prop Kevin Yates being given a six-month ban by the RFU for biting London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn during an English Cup tie four years ago. Leinster's 43-7 thrashing in Toulouse yesterday means that Bath, the No.1 seeds and the only team to emerge unbeaten from the six-match pool competition, are home to Llanelli in the quarter-final. As punishment for their beating, Leinster must go to Welford Road when a win would have guaranteed them home advantage in Dublin.

They at least have the consolation of knowing they were the last team to win at Leicester, having beaten the Tigers 32-10 in a European Cup pool game two years ago.

Munster, beaten finalists two years ago, must also travel - their defeat at Castres ensuring they return to France for a crack at last year's runners-up, Stade Francais of Paris. Montferrand, whose four second-half tries obliterated Glasgow's faint hope of putting a Scottish team into the last eight for the first time, go to Castres.

Gloucester prop Trevor Woodman, sent off by Irish referee Alain Rolland for stamping during his club's 34-12 Parker Pen Shield win at La Rochelle, was suspended last night for six weeks.

Gloucester still took their place in the quarter-finals, with four other English clubs. Three have home draws, with Saracens emerging as the topranked club and hosting Pontypridd. Gloucester take on Ebbw Vale at Kingsholm and there will be an all- Premiership clash at Heywood Road later this month when Sale play Bristol.

London Irish, however, have to travel to Pau after being held 28-28 by Dax in their final group game.

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