French hooker in dock as Gloucester win

'To have the crowd inciting racism against our players as well is an absolute disgrace. I am disgusted by the whole thing.' Andrew defended Taione's role in the violence, claiming he was merely trying to stop Azam in the first flare-up. 'The guy was in tears in the dressing room. He is not a violent player, never has been, he plays the game with a smile on his face,' he said.

Azam, 27, capped six times by France, is something of a cult figure among Gloucester supporters because of his highly physical approach. He was featured in Saturday's match programme, in which he admitted: 'I think I have a reputation and the reputation is fair. But I have tried to improve this year. I don't want to make the same mistakes every weekend.'

Azam vehemently denied the accusation of racism. Gloucester managing director Ken Nottage said yesterday: 'Philippe (Saint- Andre, Gloucester's coach) spoke to Olivier Azam and he was adamant that he had not made these comments.

'We need to look at the whole incident and speak to the stewards and other people who were close by. Then we can put a full report together for the RFU.'

After hearing Andrew's comments about the alleged racist abuse from sections of the crowd, Nottage spoke to the police and stewards present at the ground and confirmed that no one had been ejected, although some supporters were cautioned about their conduct.

Furthermore, Nottage added that the club were satisfied with the security arrangements at Kingsholm. 'The stewarding at the ground is at the right level,' he said. 'It has been improved over the last three years - they are a highly-trained bunch equipped to deal with any incident.'

When the dust had settled on the allegations and altercations, the head-to-head between fly half rookie Henry Paul and Newcastle's Jonny Wilkinson, arguably the world's best in that most pivotal position, proved an enlightening sideshow.

Frankly, it was a mismatch and comparisons are unfair on Paul, the convert from rugby league having played just one full game at No.10 before Saturday.

Wilkinson, aided by the impressive Jamie Noon and substitutes Inga Tuigamala and Pat Lam, hauled Newcastle back from 26-11 down to within a point, only for Paul - who had earlier set up a try for Daren O'Leary with a fine cross-kick - to ease his side home with a late penalty.