Embarrassed Wasps booted out in Cup sting

EUROPEAN champions Wasps last night revealed a sense of “deep embarrassment” over their humiliating Powergen Cup exit which has sent shockwaves through English rugby.

Wasps were booted out of the competition for fielding a cup-tied player during last Sunday’s sixth round success against Bristol Shoguns.

Hooker Jonny Barrett took the field as a second-half substitute during Wasps’ 40-33 triumph but he had already featured in Henley’s third round victory over Moseley as a loan player two months ago.

Under Rugby Football Union regulations that appearance made him ineligible to represent any other club in this season’s premier domestic knockout competition.

National League One leaders Bristol will take Wasps’ quarter-final place, being handed an unexpected but mouth-watering West Country derby clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm on January 22.

“We are fully satisfied that there was nothing pre-meditated about the player being selected for the game (against Bristol) and we have accepted it as a mistake made on the part of the club,” said RFU community and operations director Terry Burwell.

“The regulations are very clear, however, and we had no other option but to enforce them. The penalty will take effect for this season only.” RFU regulation 6.4 states the penalty for such an offence is automatic disqualification from the cup for the season in question.

Given that the Powergen Cup winners secure an automatic Heineken Cup place, Wasps’ elimination - unprecedented in its nature for a top English club - could have serious consequences.

They are struggling to reach this season’s Heineken Cup knockout stages following back-to-back defeats against Leicester, potentially leaving the Zurich Premiership as their only passport into Europe next term.

“We regret the deep embarrassment this incident causes to the club, our supporters, its players, the RFU and Premier Rugby as well as the sponsor, Powergen,” said Wasps chief executive David Davies, after the club investigated the matter in tandem with RFU officials.

“It was with a very heavy heart that we undertook the investigation. We quickly uncovered the mistake.

“The club considered its punishment and right to appeal, and furthermore, the length of time that the appeal process would take to reach its conclusion,” said Davies.

“As a result, we felt it was in the interests of the public at large not to appeal against the resultant penalty.

“The club has admitted its mistake and needs to take the punishment like all clubs in this tournament. The club recognises its responsibility in assuring full compliance,” he said.

“At this time of year, with other major games coming up, it was in everyone’s best interests to make a quick decision and allow us to concentrate on the upcoming fixtures against Gloucester and Biarritz (Heineken Cup).

“In deciding not to appeal, it allows Gloucester and Bristol to put arrangements in place for the game on January 22,” said Davies.

Wasps have won English rugby’s premier domestic cup competition on two occasions - in 1999 and 2000 - and were runners-up four times between 1986 and 1998.