Bath's Ollie Lawrence apologises for role in Alex Mitchell sin-binning in Premiership game with Northampton

Bath's Ollie Lawrence apologises for role in Alex Mitchell sin-binning in Premiership game with Northampton

Ollie Lawrence has apologised for his role in an incident that led to England team-mate Alex Mitchell being sin binned in Bath's Gallagher Premiership defeat at Northampton on Sunday.

Lawrence and Mitchell clashed heads when the Saints scrum-half was making a tackle at Franklin's Gardens, with the Bath centre crumpling to the ground holding his face after the collision.

Referee Anthony Woodthorpe brandished a yellow card to Mitchell before Lawrence appeared to smile at the decision as team-mate Finn Russell prepared to kick the resulting penalty.

Following accusations that he had overreacted, Lawrence used his X account to express his remorse.

"Apologies if my actions today offended anyone," he wrote. "On review, I understand the frustration voiced! I'll be better."

Lawrence had earlier annoyed home spectators with a late shoulder charge on George Hendy that forced the full-back out of the game.

Saints beat Bath 35-34 as Fin Smith converted a last-gasp penalty, handing the league leaders just their second defeat of the season.

Bath had inflicted a record 68-10 loss on Saracens a week earlier.