The Sale Sharks second-row Jonny Hill is set to learn his fate when he meets with the police on Monday after an investigation was launched following an incident with a Bath supporter at last season’s Premiership semi-final at the Rec in June.
Hill was sidelined with injury at the time and had been watching the match from near the press box alongside the Sale coaches. After the final whistle Hill was seen in a scuffle as he went down the stairs of the stand. The supporter complained of broken sunglasses and a cut above his eye and reported the incident to Avon and Somerset police.
The Rugby Football Union has been waiting for the outcome of the police investigation before determining whether to charge Hill with misconduct. The 30-year-old British & Irish Lions lock is nearing a return to fitness after a long-term knee injury. “It’s currently being drawn under,” said Sale’s director of rugby, Alex Sanderson. “He’s going back in to see the police on Monday, so it will be finalised then. It’s been dropped from ABH to a lesser act. That’s about as much as I can say, as he’s got to finish his hearing, which is on Monday.
“He’s up and about, and is a week or two off [full fitness]. We’ve got to wait to see what happens with the police and if the RFU do something after that. If it was down to us it would be the next week or the week after, with selection.”
Asked if Hill had been disciplined by Sale, Sanderson added: “We’ve pulled him in, looked at [the incident], hired barristers to make sure everything is done properly. That’s all been on the club. As soon as it comes out in the press, people want to know the answers and give him as much support as possible.
“From our side, we know he was verbally abused as well. I’m not saying I condone acts of violence, you can’t, particularly when you’re meant to be setting an example in the sporting arena, but you want a fair cop at it, don’t you. He’s pretty chilled, Jonny, matter of fact. He’s all right about it. He’s done what he’s done, and is willing to face the consequences on Monday, and thereafter from the RFU.”
