Pontypridd go to Brive in unwanted re-match

Sunday 12 October 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The re-match no one wants has come about. Brive and Pontypridd, whose first match in Brive was wrecked by violence on and off the pitch at the pool stage of the European Cup last month, meet up again in a play- off for a quarter-final place in France on the weekend of November 1-2.

The game on 14 September was marred by violence and saw two players sent off. Brive, who won 32-31, also claimed that three of their players were injured in a bar fight after the match. Three Welsh players were charged with assault.

The clubs were each fined pounds 30,000 for the trouble during the match and warned about their future conduct.

Brive initially said they would not travel to Wales for the return match but did so and drew 29-29 in a trouble-free encounter.

In the other play-offs, Leicester host Glasgow while Cardiff make the short trip to Llanelli.

Wasps, Bath, Harlequins, Toulouse and Pau won their qualifying groups to go straight into the last eight.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in