The incident that saw Wales international Gareth Anscombe forced from the field in the Ospreys’ BKT United Rugby Championship win over Glasgow Warriors has been branded ‘an absolute cheap shot’.
Ex-Wales prop Chris Horsman was less than impressed after Anscombe had to leave the pitch early in the second half of the game in Swansea, with fellow pundit Sean Holley also expressing concern.
The pair were discussing the matter on BBC Wales’ Scrum V programme.
Read more: Ospreys expect citing probe over Gareth Anscombe incident as Wales star forced off in obvious pain
Glasgow's replacement hooker George Turner connected with Anscombe as he lay prone at a ruck during the round 3 URC clash, with the fly-half then needing to exit the field with a rib problem.
Fourteen-cap ex-tighthead Horsman, who played for Wales at the 2007 World Cup, said: “For me, that is an out-and-out cheap shot.
“Gareth Anscombe is not known as a jackaller.
“His ribs are exposed and the hooker has just taken an absolute cheap shot.
“The game’s moved on; we don’t need this in the game these days.
“He [Turner] is trying to get one up, the old adage ‘leave one on the 10’.
“We don’t need it.”
Anscombe had been returning to action after suffering a head knock in the clash with the Scarlets in round one of the URC and missing the match with the Lions He looked in acute pain as he left the field on Saturday and could now face a race to be fit for Wales’ autumn series of Tests. You can read more about his journey back from a career-threatening injury to triumph with Wales here.
Holley said: “He looked really cross there, Gareth — one, because he felt it was a cheap shot; two, potentially [because he could face] being out. He wants to get some game-time.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said after the game he planned to review the incident, while he also expects the citing officer to look at it.
The Welsh side won the match 32-17, with Keelan Giles claiming a brace of tries and George North and Reuben Morgan-Williams claiming one touchdown each.
Wales open their pre-Christmas programme of internationals with a clash against New Zealand on November 5.
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