Apologetic Dallaglio beats RFU to punch

Lawrence Dallaglio issued a public apology to one of his World Cup-winning team-mates on Thursday for the punch which has seen the former England captain suspended for Wasps' Premiership match at Leicester on Saturday.

Wasps gave the 35-year-old a one-match ban in the hope of preventing a heavier punishment when he goes before an RFU disciplinary tribunal on Tuesday, accused of hitting Tigers prop Julian White during Leicester's EDF Energy Cup semi-final win in Cardiff last weekend.

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'I accept the sanction and acknowledge that my actions infringed the rules, although I wish to stress they were unintentional and without any malice,' Dallaglio said.

'I have extended my apologies to Julian White. I hope I can now draw a line under this incident and enjoy playing out the rest of my final season.'

The offence carries a ban of two weeks, although that can be halved depending on mitigating factors which include remorse. Wasps, who expect to have to win six of their seven remaining matches to finish in the top four, hope Dallaglio's long record of never being sent off will help him.

Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards said: 'It was only a very small altercation with Julian and I would like to think Lawrence will play an active part over the final weeks of his career.'

Premiership leaders Bath will start at Sale on Friday without Olly Barkley for the first time since his return from the World Cup.

The goal-kicking fly half — facing trial on a charge of causing actual bodily harm, which the player denies — has been put on the bench for a breather.