Lee Points Finger at Agents amidst Gopps, Fifita and Malakai Speculation

[Rossm]

'We're very aware of where these rumours come from'

Bobby Bridge reports:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/rugby-rumours-transfer-news-22729477

[Peej]

Doesn't really contradict them though, does he?

[andermt]

If you listen to the Rugby Pass Offload podcast they have Francois Hougaard on there and the guy asking the questions stitches him up a bit by asking if he will miss Fekitoa and Fifita when they leave, he said he had become great friends with Fekitoa and would miss him.

He also has some jokes around Genge, but did answer when asked if Genge had apologised, and the answer was no. Also said he didn't say anything and wasn't aware he had even touched him so said he had no idea why Genge went off on one.

[InBetweenWasp]

Francois being cute with the truth, I think. 

The ref blows the whistle whilst Genge is trying to get the ball off of Hougaard and Wusty/Spink (not sure who?) and shortly after Hougaard 'strikes' Genge with his shoulder/upper arm (If that makes sense - it kind of looks like he's ripping the ball but pretty sure his arm makes contact with Genge's face) right before Genge loses the plot.

[matelot22]

Francois being cute with the truth, I think. 

The ref blows the whistle whilst Genge is trying to get the ball off of Hougaard and Wusty/Spink (not sure who?) and shortly after Hougaard 'strikes' Genge with his shoulder/upper arm (If that makes sense - it kind of looks like he's ripping the ball but pretty sure his arm makes contact with Genge's face) right before Genge loses the plot.

That doesn't tie in with Genge's claim to the ref that he was slapped on the back of the head.

[InBetweenWasp]

There’s nowhere on the replays that show Genge being hit on the back of the head before he loses it.

But he definitely takes a knock to the face from Francois.  I suspect that’s what’s rattled him.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

If he had been slapped on the back of the head that is something the CO would have picked up.

So, either he wasn’t or it can’t be seen on any of the recordings. I doubt it was missed, televised matches are filmed in high definition and there’s too many cameras around to miss something like that in open play.

He may well believe he was, but but we can’t excuse him without evidence.