McMillan backs Coombes over groin-grab allegation after Leinster defeat

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan has backed Gavin Coombes after the number eight alleged that an opponent grabbed him in the groin during Saturday's 24-18 defeat by Leinster. According to BBC Sport, Coombes raised the matter with referee Andrew Brace during the United Rugby Championship derby at the Aviva Stadium.

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Coombes alleged that the incident involved an unnamed Leinster player at a ruck near the end of the first half. Television match official Colin Stanley could not find video evidence of it. The allegation therefore remains unsubstantiated by the footage described in the BBC report, which does not identify the opposing player.

Speaking after the match, McMillan said he trusted his players not to make an allegation of that nature lightly. He specifically supported Coombes' character and said the matter should be left to the relevant authorities. His comments expressed confidence in his player rather than providing an account of having witnessed the alleged contact himself.

McMillan referred to the citing process, through which incidents can be reviewed retrospectively and punishment can follow. The BBC report did not announce a disciplinary finding or sanction in this case. The coach's response left any further assessment with that process, while maintaining his support for the player who had brought the complaint to the referee.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said he had not seen the alleged incident and regarded the accusation as a serious matter for the citing commissioner. He also said it had sounded as though Coombes changed his mind partway through making the accusation, as a scrum was being prepared. Cullen qualified that observation by acknowledging that he did not know what had happened.

Cullen added that he could not see anything in what he had viewed and that his own comments would not help resolve the matter. The two coaches' post-match remarks thus left the central allegation unresolved: McMillan stood behind Coombes, while Cullen pointed to the citing commissioner and Stanley had been unable to locate supporting video evidence during the game.