Wasps are forced out of cup

Rugby News round-upEuropean champions Wasps last night revealed a sense of "deep embarrassment" over their humiliating English Cup exit. Wasps were booted out of the competition for fielding a cup-tied player during Sunday's sixth-round success against Bristol Shoguns.

Hooker Jonny Barrett came on as a second-half substitute during Wasps' 40-33 triumph, but he had already featured in Henley's third-round win over Moseley as a loan player two months ago. Under English Rugby Football Union regulations, that made him ineligible to represent any other club in this season's domestic knockout competition.

National League One leaders Bristol will take Wasps' quarter-final place, being handed an unexpected West Country derby clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm on January 22nd.

"We input into our database all the information after a round of the cup and found that Jonny Barrett was ineligible to play for Wasps," said RFU operations director Terry Burwell.

"We are fully satisfied there was nothing premeditated about the player being selected for the game (against Bristol), and we have accepted it as a mistake made on the part of the club. The regulations are very clear, however, and we had no other option but to enforce them."

RFU regulation 6.4 states the penalty for such an offence is automatic disqualification from the cup for the season in question. Given the English Cup winners secure an automatic European Cup place, Wasps' elimination could have serious consequences.

They are struggling to reach this season's European Cup knockout stages following back-to-back defeats against Leicester, potentially leaving the Premiership as their only passport into Europe next term.

"We regret the deep embarrassment this incident causes to the club, our supporters, its players, the RFU and Premier Rugby, as well as the sponsor, Powergen," said Wasps chief executive David Davies. "It was with a very heavy heart that we undertook the investigation. We quickly uncovered the mistake.

"The club considered its punishment and right to appeal, and furthermore, the length of time the appeal process would take to reach its conclusion. As a result, we felt it was in the interests of the public at large not to appeal against the resultant penalty.

"In deciding not to appeal, it allows Gloucester and Bristol to put arrangements in place for the game on January 22nd."

Bristol, meanwhile, are now through to their 13th quarter-final, having triumphed at Twickenham in 1983, when they beat Leicester 28-22.

Wasps will lose around £10,000 from the gate at Gloucester but they have big games next month against Calvisano and Biarritz in Europe and Bath at home.

In Wales the Newport-Gwent Dragons yesterday ended their season-long feud with the Welsh Rugby Union and signed the regional participation agreement. The Dragons had held out because they were paid £200,000 a year less than the Neath-Swansea Ospreys.