Jim Hamilton and David Paice to have a hearing – Rugby News Update
The end of season clash between the London Irish and Gloucester Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 5th of May, will be remembered for the brawl between Jim Hamilton and David Paice.
Both the players subsequently received red cards for their behaviour, having been sin-binned earlier in the game for a similar offence. However, the two players will have some explaining to give to the Rugby Football Union disciplinary committee on Thursday,
when they both appear for a hearing.
The director of rugby at London Irish was in complete support of Paice and laid the full blame on Hamilton, who plays for Gloucester. He said, "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.”
The London Irish ran comfortable winners on the day, beating Gloucester by 52 – 18. By half-time the visitors were trailing 34 – 11 and it never looked like the visiting time had any ambition to win the game. Three tries were scored in the first half by
Darren Allinson, Sailosi Tagicakibau and Jonathan Joseph, but the scene turned ugly in the second half.
Brian Smith was naturally irked as his hooker Paice was left with twelve stitches from the attack, while Hamilton had earlier punched him as well, when they both had received a yellow card. Smith called him a ‘disgrace’, questioning his credentials for England,
especially with the former Exiles coach Mike Catt joining the England team management. He further called his behaviour not fit for a captain, and he feels that the lock will not be picked for England duty in the summer, as England tours South Africa for a
three match test series.
Smith further added, "Jim Hamilton has got a lot to answer for, it's not the 1970s. It was very disappointing, it was a blight on the game. Jim Hamilton was the instigator and we have David Paice possibly with concussion and a dozen stitches in his head.”
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