RFU statement: The Harlequins versus Bath Irne Herbst sin-bin

The RFU have issued a statement following its review of the controversy that engulfed Saturday’s Harlequins versus Bath Gallagher Premiership match at The Stoop.

Bath boss Johann van Grann confirmed in the aftermath of his team’s 36-40 defeat that he had spoken with referee Anthony Woodthorpe about Harlequins’ Irne Herbst not serving his full 10-minute sin-binning in the second half.

The visitors had fought back from trailing 3-40 to set up a grandstand finish, but the early return of the Harlequins forward from the sideline didn’t help them to make their comeback a winning one as the South African went on to make one important tackle.

"I flagged it with the referee after the game," said van Graan. "There is not a lot that he can do, on the pitch he wasn't even aware of it.

"We went through our team manager and we made the fourth official aware. On a yellow card, you're supposed to be off for 10 minutes, not seven."

The RFU have now reviewed the incident and issued its response. Its statement read: “The RFU professional game match officials team (PGMOT) acknowledge and apologise for an error during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins vs Bath where a yellow card sanction resulted in Irne Herbst returning to the pitch approximately three minutes too soon.

“We would like to apologise to both teams for this mistake. As is the usual process, the PGMOT will review all games to ensure continued improvement and learnings. The result of the match remains final.”

Despite the defeat, Bath's fightback earned them two bonus points to moves them up to second in the Premiership, five points behind leaders Northampton Saints.