'I just want to apologise to everyone involved in Bath Rugby'

New Bath hooker Niall Annett has taken to social media to apologise after he was red carded during his side's game with Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate in the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership season.

Bristol Bears began their season with a 31-29 victory over their West Country rivals, and the game wasn't without its flashpoints.

The former Worcester Warriors forward was involved in a sideline brawl in the 37th minute, an incident that also saw Bristol's Callum Sheedy yellow carded.

The brouhaha occurred after Bristol scored their third try, with Luke Morahan touching down in the corner after a driving maul and good work by Sheedy and Tongan international Charles Piutau.

Bath’s replacements, who were warming up nearby, got involved in a melee with some Bristol players and hooker Annett, an unused substitute, was red-carded by referee Matthew Carley, whole Sheedy was sin-binned.

Annett - a new signing - was given a red card despite having yet to play a minute of rugby for Bath.

The former Ulsterman took to Twitter to apologise for his red card.

Annett wrote: "Just want to apologise to everyone associated with Bath Rugby. Not how I saw my first game going and deeply embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Players, staff, fans and everyone else associated, sorry for my actions."

Annett will now likely have to wait at least a few weeks for his Bath debut, with a automatic citing set to follow for the red card.

Annett signed for Bath back in March. The 31-year-old made over 130 appearances for Worcester in an 8 year spell at the club, scoring 12 tries. Prior to the Warriors he won 20 caps for his native Ulster.

additional reporting PA