Andrew caught in crossfire

An angry touchline exchange involving Rob Andrew soured Newcastle Falcons' 26-18 European Shield win against Begles-Bordeaux yesterday. Newcastle manager Andrew appeared to be manhandled by a French official much to the displeasure of fitness coach Steve Black, who was furious because the former England player has his arm in a sling following a recent shoulder operation. Andrew had left his seat in the stand to watch the closing stages from the dug-out with Black and he went to talk to touch judge David McHugh after Newcastle flanker Richard Arnold was sin-binned six minutes from time.

McHugh intervened after Arnold ploughed into a ruck to try to free the ball from a French player and referee Bertie Smith then sin-binned Arnold on McHugh's advice.

As Andrew tried to speak to McHugh, match commissioner Jean Matheu, a former referee, was seen to push Andrew away and Black became involved in a heated exchange with Matheu.

It was Andrew who acted as peacemaker and calmed both men down, sending Black back into the dug-out. Andrew then returned to the stand along with Matheu.'I don't know what all the fuss was about,' said Andrew. 'That area is the responsibility of the fourth official. It has nothing to to with the match commissioner and I don't know why he got involved, but I suppose you expect things like that to happen in France.' In the Heineken Cup yesterday, Ulster produced two converted injury-time tries in Toulouse to remind Cardiff and Saracens that their fiercely competitive pool is more than a two-horse race.

In a recovery reminiscent of the spirit which took them to the European title two seasons ago, Ulster reached the end of normal time 14 points adrift. Minutes later, after tries from Jonathan Bell and JamesTopping, fly half David Humphreys' double conversion levelled the score at 35-35 with the last kick of the match. Top French referee Joel Dume has defended his decision not to send off Munster's Alan Quinlan for stamping during the 31-9 win against Bath. Quinlan was sin-binned for the incident involving hooker Mark Regan and Bath coach Jon Callard claimed:'It was a cop-out by the ref.' Dume said:'I didn't see the incident. It was drawn to my attention by one of my touch judges. He said that it didn't merit a red card. There was nothing malicious in it. The yellow card was sufficient.'