Harlequins’ Paul Gustard condemns Dave Ward’s trial by social media

• Allegations of spitting and stamping made against hooker
• Gustard says Quins are working hard to improve their image

Paul Gustard, the Harlequins head of rugby, has called for rugby fans and pundits to think twice before they rush to condemn players on social media following controversial incidents. The Quins hooker, Dave Ward, was widely accused of stamping and spitting in their win against Wasps last Saturday but, ultimately, neither allegation resulted in a citing charge.

While Gustard accepts Ward was out of line for cynically treading on an opponent, an act described by the former England assistant coach as “pathetic” and deserving of a one-game club suspension, he remains irked by the modern trend for players to be instantly judged in the court of public opinion based on partial video evidence.

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from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2GRPvNQ