Aviva Premiership
Falcons sweat over cited trio
ESPNscrum Staff
March 7, 2012
Gary Gold takes in his new surroundings at the Falcons, Kingston Park, Newcastle, January 18, 2012
Newcastle boss Gary Gold has dismissed suggestions that his side deliberately overstepped the mark against Harlequins © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Three Newcastle players have been cited for alleged foul play following last weekend's ill-tempered Aviva Premiership draw with Harlequins.

James Hall, Tai Tu'ifua and Rob Vickers will all face Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary chiefs in Durham on March 19.

Hall has been reported for kicking an opponent, Tu'ifua for a dangerous tackle and Vickers for striking an opponent, for which he was shown one of the Falcons' two yellow cards.

Quins boss Conor O'Shea was critical of the hosts' conduct following the game, accusing them of crossing the line.

"We had to scrap, and the atmosphere was febrile out there," O'Shea said. "We wanted pace in the game and we couldn't get that. All credit to the Falcons in what was a very physical game, but on more than one occasion I think the line was crossed.

"The line is drawn at punches in the face, boots in the face and short-arm tackles, and yes, I think Newcastle overstepped that mark. When you get a stamp in the face, a punch in the face and short-arm tackles, that's overstepping the mark."

Newcastle are currently eight points adrift at the Premiership basement with just five league games left, but director of rugby Gary Gold dismissed suggestions that it had been their intention to push the boundaries against Quins.

"Was it my instructions to go over the top? Certainly not," he said. "I never would tell my players to do that. I don't condone any sort of dirty play, but I do ask my players to front-up.

"I'm not happy with the ill-discipline we showed at times. You cannot afford to play the game for 20 minutes with 14 men, and there is no excuse for players losing their discipline, and we will have to address that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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