Poppy Clearl 'headbutts' Exeter Chiefs coach during halftime tunnel brawl

Poppy Clearl tweeted, «I'll look into this further, don't worry.» Credit: CameraSport/Bob Bradford

Rugby Football Union is investigating a tunnel accident at halftime after England and Saracens striker Poppy Cleall allegedly headbutted a member of the Exeter Chiefs coaching team during their Premier 15s semi-final .

The Saracens have stepped in. at halftime at 14:0 after attempts by Hannah Botterman and Sarah McKenna, but tensions flared as the players walked through the Sandy Park tunnel.

Steve Salvin, Exeter Assistant Coach, and Juan Figallo, Saracen Women's Scrum Coach also included among those believed to be involved in the Cliall incident.

According to one well-informed source, Salvin was unhappy that Cleall was talking to referee Charlie Gaither as the players headed to the dressing rooms and yelled something that angered the England player from match 61.< /p>

Cleal reacted and: Leaning towards Salvin, he performed what the source called a «soft headbutt», causing Salvin to catch his eye.

Former Argentinean prop Figallo then intervened in the scandal and allegedly attacked Salvin. pushing him against the wall. tunnel walls.

The RFU said in a statement: “We are investigating reports of an alleged incident. If charges are filed, we will provide an update.”

The incident is said to have taken place in front of referee Gaither, but no disciplinary action was taken and Cleall returned to the field in the second half as Exeter staged a dramatic comeback and took a late stage win thanks to a 78th-minute attempt by Eilid Sinclair. < /p>

Exeter and Saracens declined to comment on the incident after being approached by Telegraph Sport.

Cleall appears to have responded to the allegation with a bizarre tweet in which she apparently , suggested there was something else in the incident's cryptic message.

She said, «I'll take it. move on, don't worry. Very, very often you behave the way you do today. We'll hear about it soon.»

Tunnel clashes in women's rugby are extremely rare, although recent clashes between Exeter and Saracens have been known to be quite heated.

Salvin, who worked as a coach with Rotherham Titans and Leeds Carnegie Academy, joined the Exeter Chief women's coaching team in November 2021.

He also helped coach the England women's scrum during the Women's Six Nations this year, helping Red Roses clash coach Louis Deacon.

However, during his time with England, Salvin is said to have had limited interaction with Clearll, who missed several rounds of the tournament due to injury.

Exeter, who ended the regular season in second place behind Gloucester-Hartpury, will face Cherry and Whites in the Premier 15s final at Kingsholm on 24 June, with both teams in contention for their first league title.