Jim Hamilton and David Paice are set to face a disciplinary hearing following the brawl they sparked at the Madjeski Stadium on Saturday. Both players were shown yellow cards, resumed fighting, then were sent off with reds cards.
Having come to blows and exchanged a few quick shots, both players were sin-binned by referee Dave Pearson, but when walking off had another go after it looked like Paice got too verbal.
A massive brawl ensued, with blows flying freely and a few players probably lucky to have not been cited. Hamilton and Paice were called back and red carded, and will appear in front of a Rugby Football Union disciplinary committee on Thursday this week.
“Jim Hamilton was the instigator and then when they were both yellow carded Hamilton has punched David Paice twice in the head and split him open and he has a dozen stitches in his forehead, and the all-in started from there,” said London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith.
“Hamilton has got a lot to answer for – it’s not the 1970s. It was a blight on the game. He is a Test player but I would be surprised if he plays any Test footy this summer because it was a disgrace,” he added, referring to Scotland’s upcoming tour of Australia, Fiji, and Samoa.
Hooker Paice on the other hand, capped twice by England and having played regularly with the Saxons, may have ruined his chances of selection for England’s tour of South Africa.
London Irish scored six tries and won the game 52-18, after having led 34-11 at half time.
Check out the Related Posts below the video for a selection of mass brawls, and tell us, if you were making the decisions on Thursday, what suspensions would you hand out?
Update – 10 May 2012: Both players have been suspended for 7 weeks each
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