Saracens 27 Northampton 12: Chris Ashton sweating on citing amid biting allegations
England wing fears disciplinary action after bruising match that also involved apparent head-butt
CHRIS ASHTON is sweating on another disciplinary rap after Alex Waller claimed he was BITTEN.
Saracens fear their winger could be cited after the Northampton prop’s hand came into contact with his face.
Waller complained to referee Greg Garner that he had been bitten in the first-half incident and Garner promised to review the incident.
Ashton, 29, had his chances of an England recall wrecked by a ten-week ban for gouging shortly before last season’s Six Nations.
And Waller could also be up before the RFU beaks if his “moment of madness” is deemed to include a head-butt on Jamie George.
Saints were leading a brutal battle 12-9 with 55 minutes gone when Waller lost the plot in a clash with England hooker George.
Garner showed Waller a yellow card but the citing officer may still investigate what could be interpreted as Waller’s head making contact with George’s.
Reigning Premiership champs Saracens cashed in with 12 unanswered points while Waller was in the bin to make it three wins out of three so far this term.
Saracens boss Mark McCall confirmed: “I have heard the accusation but not yet seen the incident. But I suppose there is a good chance that Chris will be cited as a result.
“There were some unfortunate incidents but I’m not going to talk about red and yellow cards or referee’s decisions.
“We were second best in the first half and we allowed certain things to get under our skin. But we also had the resolve and character to battle back and turn things around.”
Northampton lost for the second time in three matches this term and boss Jim Mallinder confessed: “Lack of discipline let us down.
“I think we did pretty well for 55 minutes but a moment of madness started our downfall.
“They are tough enough to handle when you have 15 players. But when you’re down to 14 for 20 minutes it becomes very difficult.
“We matched one of the best sides in Europe with 15 men so there are positives. But, overall, it’s very disappointing.”
George took instant revenge after his clash with Waller by darting over from close range on 56 minutes for the game’s first try after Saracens had hoofed the resulting penalty into touch for a lineout.
Saints’ confidence seeped south as Saracens tore into them with fresh venom, forcing a penalty try on 66 minutes.
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Alex Lozowski — once again in for the injured Owen Farrell — converted and his tally of 17 points with five penalties and a conversion will have impressed boss McCall — and watching England chief Eddie Jones — in equal measure.
Jones and forwards’ coach Steve Borthwick watched a first-half heavyweight contest between two thunderous packs, their rivalry fuelled by previous meetings in a succession of semi-finals and finals.
But after 40 forward-dominated minutes at Allianz Park, the two teams were deadlocked at 9-9 with Lozowski kicking three goals — as did Stephen Myler for the visitors.
Saracens upped their game after the break and no sooner had Waller returned from the bin than back-row Sam Dickinson flopped on the ball and refused to budge.
Referee Garner lost patience and flashed his yellow card once again.
A painful day for Northampton ended with England centre Luther Burrell leaving the stadium in an ambulance, an oxygen mask in place, after smashing his head against Brad Barritt’s hip.
It was that kind of afternoon.