Billy Twelvetrees faces four-week ban after Gloucester man started 30-man brawl by shoving waterboy

Billy Twelvetrees may be cited for the part he played in starting a brawl in Gloucester’s defeat by Sale — and the Sharks man of the match, Dan du Preez, could be in trouble too.

Former England centre Twelvetrees, 32, shoved one of Sale’s waterboys as he prevented him collecting the ball on the sidelines when time was running out at Kingsholm, starting a larger scuffle. 

He was sin-binned, and the waterboy was dismissed to the stands. If the RFU take further action, Twelvetrees could face a four-week ban.

Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees started a mass fight on Saturday by pushing over a waterboy

As time ticked down against Sale, a waterboy stopped Twelvetrees from grabbing the ball 

The charge would likely come under acting ‘against the spirit of good sportsmanship’ which Exeter prop Harry Williams was found guilty of this time last year, when starting a fight having been substituted against Saracens.

From the same game, Sale’s No 8 Dan du Preez could be suspended for six weeks after tackling centre Chris Harris recklessly as he was falling to ground, hitting him in the back of the neck.

Harris himself was livid that he had to be taken off for a head injury assessment but Du Preez was not carded.

A huge fight broke out and the former England centre could now be banned by the RFU 

Twelvetrees later spoke to and responded to the waterboy after the match had finished 

‘Frustrated that I was pulled off for a HIA at a crucial point in the game and time was not taken out to review the incident,’ tweeted Harris after the game.

Gloucester now start the year bottom after the 22-19 defeat.

Wasps beat Exeter Chiefs 34-5 but could lose Alfie Barbeary for 12 weeks now he is to have surgery on an ankle injury today.

Bristol beat Newcastle to move second on Friday, and with London Irish v Northampton and Worcester v Harlequins cancelled due to Covid outbreaks at the capital clubs, Warriors and Saints took four points each meaning they are now eighth and 11th respectively.