A police investigation has been launched following an incident in which a supporter suffered a cut to his eye during an alleged altercation with Jonny Hill after Bath’s playoff win over Sale at the recreation ground on Saturday.
The 28-year-old supporter reported the incident to Avon and Somerset Police, who confirmed an investigation was underway. Hill, who is playing for sale but is health issue, watched the game alongside Sharks coaches from near the press gallery. After the final whistle, Hill was seen in a scuffle as he walked down the stairs from the bleachers. The pendant complained about a broken pair of sunglasses and a cut above his eye.
“Officers are investigating after receiving a report on Saturday, June 1, of a man who assaulted another at the Bath Rugby Grounds on Spring Gardens Road in Bath,” Avon and Somerset Police said. “A man was given medical attention at the scene by a paramedic and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident. If anyone has watched the incident or has any footage, please contact us on 101 and provide the reference number 5224140921.”
On Saturday, Sale said they would conduct their own investigation while the Rugby Football Union held discussions with the Sharks and Bath before deciding on their course of action. The supporter, who does not want to be named, said after the incident: “I sat there, and he came down the stairs, grabbed me by the neck, grabbed my sunglasses and cut off the top of my eye.
“To be honest, all I want is a new pair of sunglasses. This is not football. I sat down with my partner and her whole family [bath lovers]. We were Worcester fans. I don’t want to do much.”
Some sellers defended Hill on social media, saying the whole story remains not known. Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said he had not seen the incident but had offered a defence of Hill’s character.
“This is news to me, Jonny is not the aggressive type and I will answer these questions when I know [more],” he said. “He is not an overly aggressive and mean person.”
Curry called after Cameo
Tom Curry was named in the England squad to prepare for the summer tests against Japan and New Zealand, although he returned from a seven-month health issue break last weekend, but Elliot Daly was excluded from the tour due to the imminent arrival of his first child.child.
Curry, part of a 33-man squad with his twin brother Ben, came off the bench in his first appearance of the season in Sale’s Premiership playoff defeat by Bath. The 25-year-old impressed in his 32 minutes on the pitch, made a memorable tackle against Josh Bayliss, and after Sale’s defeat, Steve Borthwick called the Flanker Openside.