Andy Goode brands Harlequins player an 'absolute coward' and Twitter row ensues

Former England international and RugbyPass columnist Andy Goode has branded a Harlequins player an absolute coward on Twitter.

Harlequins ran out 20-13 victors over Wasps in front of a sell-out crowd at Twickenham, but an ugly incident in the 12th minute involving Dave Ward marred the game.

Goode posted pictures of Ward apparently spitting on, then stamping on the ankle of Wasps hooker Thomas Young in the 'Big Game' at Twickenham yesterday.

The incident was picked up by the referee and Ward was yellow carded.

Goode wasn't happy and last night tweeted: "Pretty conclusive pictures here of Dave Ward spitting directly at Thomas Young whilst looking at him before his premeditated trample on his ankle. Absolute coward".

Goode also tagged Ward in the Tweet.

The Tweet was called out by both David Flatman and injured Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw.

Flatman responded saying: "Annoying and stupid, yes, but I don’t subscribe to it being cowardly. Garforth and Rowntree did far worse to me as a youngster, would you call them cowards? I certainly wouldn’t."

Former England captain Robshaw wrote: "You’re entitled to your opinion, but to @ him the way you have because of your own personal agenda isn’t play on."

Harlequins Kyle Sinckler also came to the defence of Ward, tweeting: "Some of the abuse Dave Ward is getting is a complete disgrace. I can vouch for him he would never do anything in that manner intentionally. You are ruining such a special occasion for premiership rugby with your abuse."

Sinckler himself was then abused by a small number of fans for the tweet, and he retweeted several of them.