Ollie Lawrence has apologized for his role in the incident that left England team-mate Alex Mitchell guilty in Bath’s Gallagher Premiership defeat at Northampton on Sunday.
Lawrence and Mitchell clashed heads when the Saints scrum-half tackled him at Franklin’s Gardens, with the Bath center crumpling to the ground holding his face after the collision.
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe brandished a yellow card to Mitchell before Lawrence smiled at the decision as team-mate Finn Russell prepared to take the resulting penalty.
Lawrence took advantage of his actions after being accused of overreacting. X account to express his regret.
“I apologize if my actions today offended anyone,” he wrote. “We understand the frustration voiced during the review process! It will get better.”
Lawrence’s Bath team lost 35-34 to Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens.
Lawrence had previously irritated the home crowd with a late shoulder charge on George Hendy that forced the full-back out of the game.
Fin Smith’s last-minute penalty saw Saints beat Bath 35-34 and hand the league leaders their second defeat of the season.
Bath suffered a record 68-10 loss to Saracens a week ago.
