Ulster reject Exiles' claim

Ulster have issued a strongly-worded statement rejecting accusations that secondrow Matt McCullough directed racial abuse at London Irish wing Delon Armitage following a Heineken European Cup match between the teams at Ravenhill last Friday night.

This follows a letter sent by the Exiles club to the tournament organisers, ERC, on Tuesday evening in which they outlined their findings on the matter.

Ulster chief executive Michael Reid has conducted an internal inquiry and is satisfied McCullough has no case to answer. The Ulster statement read: "Ulster Rugby and Matt McCullough strenuously deny the allegation, made by London Irish, of racial abuse towards Delon Armitage.

"Matt has apologised by way of letter, for the use of foul language towards Armitage in the heat of the moment during the match, but this should in no way be misinterpreted as an admission to the use of racist language and we regard the allegation made by London Irish most seriously as Ulster Rugby has an unblemished record in relation to racial issues.

"London Irish have now formally presented the matter to the ERC, the Heineken Cup's governing body, and Ulster Rugby will not comment further at this point."

A spokesperson for ERC confirmed they had received London Irish's e-mail and that the matter was now in the hands of ERC disciplinary officer Roger O'Connor.