How else would you define the word "escalate"?

The incident had started, it was nothing to do with him, but he ran in. That is "escalation".

What is your definition of the verb "to escalate"?

No, Barnes doesn't get everything right, but I suggest that in this particular incident the World Rugby Referee of The Year got it right and some random anonymous bloke on t'interweb got it wrong.

Wayne Barnes said he "escalated it through the roof". The fight didn't get any worse due to Harry Williams' intervention, and in fact calmed down almost immediately afterwards. So maybe you should re-read your definition of escalate, because it quite obviously doesn't match what actually happened.

You can even ask Wayne to look the word up for you when he comes home for dinner.

Precisely. He didn't make it any more serious or any worse. He was just one of about 20 people in a melee by the time he ran in.

The Chiefs chant of Chiefs, Chiefs, Chiefs sounded remarkably like Cheats, Cheats, Cheats..

I am really not comfortable with us constantly referring to Saracens as cheats.

Yes, they did cheat, but then so did we.

Ah, but our cheating was very minor, academic, almost - did you say?

Well, shouldn't we be whiter than white before we start hurling accusations of cheating around? Or supporting other individuals and clubs who are accusing Saracens of cheating?.

I think when another club is found guilty of cheating in every game for five years then you might have a point. Until then Saracens are cheats who have "won" and been allowed to keep trophies they won by cheating.

I am really not comfortable with us constantly referring to Saracens as cheats.

Yes, they did cheat, but then so did we.

Ah, but our cheating was very minor, academic, almost - did you say?

Well, shouldn't we be whiter than white before we start hurling accusations of cheating around? Or supporting other individuals and clubs who are accusing Saracens of cheating?.

So going by your theory, no-one from Leicester is allowed to comment on Saracens because of the 'Hand of Back'? And I thought the accusations were proven, so aren't accusations anymore but facts?

As for us, since we were caught and punished, the club has been careful to be as clean as possible (even reporting ourselves last season when we strayed even marginally over the salary cap by accident). Yes, the Game That Shall Not Be Mentioned will always be a black mark against the Clubs' history, but the club and individuals involved paid the price: They paid the fine. Jillings resigned as Chairman, Richards took his 3 year ban, Williams his 4 month ban. Brennan was due to take up a position with England lost that job & was suspended. Chapman as the Doctor was in severe trouble with the GMC.

The big thing was that Mark Evans made a full apology for the matter in a letter that's still accessible on our website. In it it is clear that the club accepted the blame & showed contrition, something that has been lacking in the response from Wray and from Saracens. THAT is why we can take the position of agreeing with the likes of Tony Rowe when they say what they have said. We *accepted* we were at fault & showed contrition. When Saracens & Wray do the same, perhaps they will find other clubs & supporters more willing to welcome them to their grounds.

Harry Williams gets 2 week ban.