Leinster coach Matt Williams has hit back at claims that the provincial side pressurised the referee into postponing today's Heineken Cup clash at Newcastle.

The Pool Six encounter, originally scheduled for yesterday, was called off for the second time in 24 hours by referee Gareth Simmonds due to a frozen pitch at Kingston Park.

But Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew accused Leinster of putting "a great deal of pressure" on the official to make the decision.

Williams hit back saying: "The referee called it off. There was still ice on parts of the field. It was the right decision.

"We were asked our opinion and our opinion was that the pitch was still frozen, but we were prepared to abide by the referee's decision.

"If he had passed the pitch fit we were prepared to play. If anyone says anything different that is just sour grapes.

"We wanted to play. We have already qualified for the quarter-finals but need to get as many points as we can to get a home game."

Kingston Park was unfit for play yesterday but the club were confident that it would thaw in time for a 2.30pm kick-off this afternoon.

The pitch was inspected prior to the game but Andrew was not happy with the decision not to play.

He said: "They had no intention of playing - the team didn't even turn up."

Referee Simmonds said: "The pitch is less than perfect, there is frost in parts of it. One team was happy to play, the other was not, and I have to acknowledge the concerns of the side that don't want to play."

European Rugby Cup spokesman Diarmaid Murphy said: "An inspection was held at 11.30am. The ground was deemed unplayable but the pitch had shown a substantial improvement and, in order to give the game every chance of going ahead, it was decided to have another inspection between 12.30 and 12.45pm.

"After that inspection the referee decided that parts of the pitch were still unfit."

He added that ERC would make a decision tomorrow on when the re-arranged tie will now take place.