O'Driscoll criticises medic at centre of Saracens-Munster brawl row

Brian O’Driscoll has criticised the medic at the centre of the Saracens-Munster brawl row, saying ‘We don’t want that in our game’.

Disciplinary chiefs have launched an investigation into the ugly scenes which marred defending champions Saracens’ 15-6 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Munster.

A prolonged mass brawl erupted at Allianz Park amid allegations that the Irish province’s chief medic Dr Jamie Kearns had made a remark about England hooker Jamie George’s weight.

European Professional Club Rugby announced on Sunday that it is looking into “incidents” during the match and would seek the views of referee Pascal Gauzere and his officials and both clubs.

A statement said: “EPCR has decided to investigate incidents which occurred during the second half of the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match between Saracens and Munster Rugby at Allianz Park yesterday (Saturday, 14 December).

“Information will now be sought from the match officials and from both clubs and EPCR will be making no further comment until the investigation has been completed.”

The brawl spread to the athletics track surrounding the pitch and then split into pockets of conflict before order was finally restored.

Saracens’ assistant coach Alex Sanderson later claimed that it had been sparked by a comment from Dr Kearns about George.

Saracens were trailing 6-3 at the time, but hit back with tries from Sean Maitland and Mako Vunipola to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals.

"We don't want that in our game."@BrianODriscoll believes a Munster medic may have gone too far in the game at @Saracens ??#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/P7jDkBG9bx

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 15, 2019

O’Driscoll was asked about the comments on BT Sport and he said he felt Munster’s medic went too far.

“Player to player, in the heat of the moment things are said and people regret them at times and provided they’re left on the pitch and people shake hands afterwards, they’re parked there.

“Players do have the opportunity – if something is said to them that they don’t like – to get their retribution back with a big shot or a big clearout.

“When it happens from management, particularly from medics, a very important position of power, to abuse a player and to use some pretty unsavoury phraseology; we certainly don’t want that in our game, and I’m  not shocked to hear that the EPCR have decided to investigate that a little bit more.”

Co-pundit Lawrence Dallagio chimed in with a similar sentiment.

“It has no place in the game of rugby. The values of the sport are about respect on and off the field, and it needs to be investigated for sure.”