Wasps suspend cited Dallaglio

Updated 12.16 Thu Mar 27 2008

Keywords: julian white, wasps, lawrence dallaglio, rugby union, rugby, sport

Rugby World Cup-winner Lawrence Dallaglio has been suspended from playing for his club Wasps for seven days, weeks before he is due to retire.

The number eight was cited for allegedly striking Leicester prop Julian White during the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final in Cardiff and Wasps are investigating the incident.

"I hope that I can now draw a line under this incident" - Lawrence Dallaglio

Club officials say they are satisfied there was no intention or malice on Dallaglio's part, although his actions did infringe the relevant International Rugby Board rule.

He will appear at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing next week but the club have already decided he will miss the Premiership game against Leicester this weekend.

Dallaglio said: "I accept the sanction of a week's suspension from playing for my club. I acknowledge that my actions infringed the rules, although I wish to stress that they were unintentional and without any malice.

"I have extended my apologies to Julian White. I hope that I can now draw a line under this incident and enjoy playing out the rest of my final season."

Dallaglio has already decided he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.