Wales await word on bite claim

Wales are still waiting for a decision on whether any action will be taken after Welsh wing George North was allegedly bitten in the Six Nations match against France.

Match citing commissioner John Montgomery has until Tuesday morning (NZ Time) to decide if any incident should be reported and a disciplinary hearing convened.

North complained to referee Wayne Barnes that he had been bitten in the 12th minute of added time in last Sunday's test, which took 100 minutes to complete.

He pointed to a bite mark on his arm, but after a lengthy delay Barnes decided the video replays were inconclusive.

Wales' acting head coach Rob Howley agreed "the evidence was inconclusive in terms of the images that were shown to the referees, and ultimately they've made a decision on that and is absolutely fine".

Howley said after the match he was  "100 per cent behind that decision in terms of the pictures they saw", but said: "Obviously there is evidence to suggest otherwise on George's arm.

"The evidence suggests there is a bite. The referee only had one angle. I haven't seen any other angles, so unfortunately it is inconclusive and you move on.

"I am sure you can ask George if you can have a look at his arm.

"There is evidence to suggest that there is a bite."

World Rugby's biting sanctions generally range from 12 weeks to 24 weeks or more for the most serious incidents.

Springbok prop Johan le Roux was sent home in disgrace and banned from rugby for 19 months after biting All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick's ear in a test in Wellington in 1994.

 

Photo: Michael Steele (Welsh wing George North contests possession against France. He alleged he was bitten during the match).