Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill has been hit with a nine-game ban for his conduct during the Premiership final clash with Saints in May.
Cockerill attended an RFU disciplinary hearing in Coventry on Monday night and was found guilty of using ‘words that were obscene, inappropriate and unprofessional and behaviour that was inappropriate and unprofessional’ during Tigers’ 37-17 win at Twickenham.
He will be suspended from involvement in matchday coaching activities, before during and after games, between September 7 and November 2 and has also been ordered to pay £500 costs.
The ban is a consequence of Cockerill’s reaction to Courtney Lawes’ hit on Toby Flood, which the Tigers director of rugby felt to be late, during the first half of the Premiership showpiece.
He aimed his anger towards fourth official Stuart Terheege and when the incident was later reviewed he was ordered to attend a disciplinary hearing.
And though he pleaded not guilty, Cockerill’s actions were deemed worthy of a lengthy ban by the panel which comprised Antony Davies (chairman), His Honour Judge Sean Enright and Daniel White.