'Regardless of what the footage looks like I know that I have never spat on a player'

Harlequins have given Dave Ward a one-match ban for stamping but cleared him of spitting during Saturday’s Premiership win over Wasps. 

Ward was shown a yellow card after treading on Thomas Young’s ankle in his side’s 20-13 victory at Twickenham. 

The hooker will miss Quins’ trip to Newcastle Falcons next weekend as he waits to discover if he will be cited for either incident, as well as a neck roll on Young. 

In a statement, Quins announced they had carried out a review and assessed Ward has “no case to answer” over allegations that he spat at an opponent.

Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard said: “We have reviewed this episode as a club and I have spoken with Dave. 

“We do not coach, condone or accept foul play and on behalf of the team and the club, I apologise to Thomas, Dai [Young, director of rugby at Wasps] and Wasps for this incident. It was an unnecessary and regrettable incident in what was a tightly contested match at Twickenham.” 

Ward said in the statement: “I apologise unreservedly to Thomas Young, Wasps and everyone at Harlequins for my yellow card yesterday. 

“I would also like to make clear that I did not spit on another player during the match yesterday. Regardless of what the television footage looks like I know that I have never spat on a player in all my career and will never do so.”