Goode sees no bad following ugly challenge

Andy Goode stayed loyal to rugby's code of honour by immediately accepting Ryan Strudwick's apologies for the challenge which knocked him unconsious at Vicarage Road yesterday.

London Irish captain Strudwick was sin-binned for a 34th-minute tackle on Saracens fly-half Goode that was later described as "dangerous" by referee Geraint Ashton-Jones.

It was an incident, too, which probably turned the game. Saracens, leading 20-11 at the time through Goode's second-minute try, dropped goal, penalty and conversion of Richard Haughton's 18th minute score, were finally beaten 34-31.

Goode, who was stretchered off and needed six stitches to a cut around his mouth, said: "I was conscious before I left the field and although I'll have a sore head in the morning it is nothing to worry about. It was not malicious.

"It's a contact sport, and you will get people getting knocked out. Players get concussed week in and week out, and unfortunately it was my turn this week!"

Wasps let their recent form slip at Leicester on Saturday, in a 32-22 defeat, but Northampton were the victims of a magnificent Harlequins performance at The Stoop. Quins won 43-21, running in five tries, to displace their visitors in second place.