Bath punished by RFU

Bath had their allocation of England international match tickets cut by the Rugby Football Union yesterday after two tickets last season ended up in the hands of an "unlicensed hospitality provider".

Bath and National League One side Orrel were among 15 clubs and one school to be stripped of tickets as part of the RFU policy to ensure the rugby community - club members and season-ticket holders - get the chance to watch England at Twickenham.

RFU commercial director Paul Vaughan said: "These clubs and one school have contravened the terms and conditions under which the match tickets are sold and have subsequently had some of their allocation withdrawn."