The incident happened during Rodney Parade during the Dragons’ thrilling victory over the Ospreys.
After head of performance Dan Baugh touched referee Ben Whitehouse, Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan says he will take internal action with him.
Baugh tried to grab referee Whitehouse’s arm during their United Rugby Championship victory over the Ospreys, so the official took him out of the water carrying duties.
The Welsh Rugby Union and the URC have both been contacted by the Dragons. It is not yet known if the former Canada international will face any external consequences. Baugh has traveled with the team for their two-game trip to South Africa, but he will not be performing his regular water boy duties at the Sharks game on Saturday in Durban.
“Both of us have had conversations, but I’m not sure where that will go,” Flanagan stated. “Whether there is a ban or not, we will handle it internally.
“I just know that it’s been handled internally; I know that Dan has apologized over the phone, and there have obviously been conversations with the Union as well, as we represent the WRU.”
“My players and staff represent me,” he continued. “Dan is well aware that you cannot touch an official.”
“Dan spoke with Ben this week; he called him on Monday. He (Baugh) and Ben (Whitehouse) have a long history together. When Ben was a Union referee and Dan was employed by the Union, I believe Dan served as his S&C coach.
Dan is also fully aware that what he did was not possible; the matter is being handled internally. It’s obvious as day from my end that you can’t do that, as agreed upon by Dan and myself.
“I’ll keep to myself what Dan and I have discussed because, as I mentioned, it speaks for me.”
