News: Bath delay Yates hearing

Bath rugby union club have delayed their disciplinary hearing for the prop Kevin Yates until 3 February on legal advice from Michael Burton QC, appointed by the club to chair the hearing.

Yates was suspended after the alleged ear-biting incident that left Simon Fenn, the London Scottish flanker, needing 28 stitches when the clubs met in a cup match. He will miss Saturday's Tetley's Bitter Cup tie against Richmond, and the Heineken Cup final against the European champions, Brive.

Thomas Sheppard, a Bath director, was disappointed by the delay, but said he was grateful that Burton supported the club's request that all evidence be provided to ensure a fair hearing.