Munster's Coombes backed after making groin grab allegation

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan backs Gavin Coombes after the back row alleged he had been grabbed in the groin in Saturday's defeat by Leinster. Gavin Coombes alleged he had been grabbed in the groin late in the first half of Munster's derby defeat by Leinster Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has backed Gavin Coombes after the number eight alleged he had been grabbed in the groin during Saturday's 24-18 defeat by Leinster. Coombes alleged the incident happened with an unnamed Leinster player at a ruck towards the end of the first half of the United Rugby Championship derby at the Aviva Stadium. Coombes raised the allegation with match referee Andrew Brace, but the television match official (TMO), Colin Stanley, could not find any video evidence of the incident.

Speaking after the game, McMillan backed Coombes and, referencing the citing commissioner who can punish retrospective incidents after a review, said it was something that had to be left "for the powers that be". "All I know is that I back our players 100% that if they make an allegation like that, they wouldn't do it lightly," McMillan said. "He's not that sort of person, Gavin, so we'll see where that goes." Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said he did not see the incident but said it was a "serious matter"