Chris Ashton: Phone picture that showed bite marks the crucial shred of evidence as Saracens winger is banned 13 weeks
Medic took a picture that showed teeth marks on arm of Northampton's Alex Waller after shocking incident
CHRIS ASHTON was banned for biting thanks to a phone snap of his teeth on Alex Waller’s arm.
Details in the RFU’s report of Ashton’s trial reveal how a quick-thinking Northampton Saints medic took an on-field picture of Waller’s injury seconds after his player had been bitten.
Ashton was suspended for 13 weeks after the pictures came to light. The England wing, 29, now has until 5pm Friday to appeal.
Giving evidence via telephone Waller told the panel how he felt a bite on his arm in the 24th minute of Northampton's 27-12 defeat to Sarries and shouted to Ashton: “What the f*** are you doing?”
The pair then ran off as the game continued and a minute later Waller tackled Ashton and claimed he was bitten again - although this charge was thrown out.
Explaining the first gnash, furious Waller said to the referee Greg Garner: “Ashton's f****** bit me on my arm! It’s Ashton twice he bit me twice... It didn’t hurt too much but it’s out of order”.
Although Ashton claimed he shouted back: “Your arm hit me in the mouth.”
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Ref Garner then said he saw two bitemarks on Waller's wrist and as the Saints physios came on to treat their player they asked if they could take a picture.
Head medic at Northampton Nathan Allwork said: “I ran to Alex Waller who had taken a knee. Alex said: 'I’ve been bitten on my arm.' There were obvious bite marks on Alex’s forearm/wrist.
"The referee appears to see what is happening, I explain to him that he had been bitten and the referee nodded his head. Our second physio, Matt Lee, arrived and began to strap and dress his forearm.
"Matt suggests taking a photo and the referee said that there is 'clear evidence' of the bite. He said that Alex was clearly injured and would give us the time to take a photo as evidence and then allow us to treat the forearm.”
As well as Waller's account the footage from the BT Sport cameras and Ashton's flimsy defence, the panel took five hours and 52 minutes to convict the rugby league convert and former Saints player.
The panel, which also included former England player-turned doctor Tom Rees, said: "Both witnesses were able to use the footage and in Mr Waller’s case the photographs, to give helpful evidence.
"The panel was satisfied that at the time Mr Waller described being bitten the footage is entirely consistent with his account.
"It is the panel’s view that what can be seen is the player taking the opportunity to bite the arm, which had lawfully come to be in the area of his mouth.
"The evidence from that footage combined with the description of what Mr Waller felt and saw, and the fact that there was no dispute that tooth marks were visible on Mr Waller’s arm immediately afterwards, provided compelling evidence.
"The panel concluded that the account from the player was very much less plausible. The panel was satisfied the player had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card."
Ashton will be free to play again on December 19 and was also hit with a fine of £500 towards costs.
It is the 29-year-old's second ban this year after he was hit with a 10-week punishment for gouging in January.