FORMER Sale Sharks forwards coach Steve Diamond, Bath scrum half Martyn Wood, and kit technician John Pennycuick have been cleared of bringing the game into disrepute by an RFU disciplinary hearing at Twickenham.

Diamond, now coach at London side Saracens, Wood and Pennycuick were all found not guilty of leaving the technical area during the Churchill Cup final between England and New Zealand Maori on June 19.

Wood was also found not guilty of verbally abusing a touch judge, during the final stages of the game in Edmonton which was won 26-19 by New Zealand Maori after extra-time.

But Pennycuick was judged guilty of abusing the fifth official and was reprimanded by the panel made up of RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett (chair), Michael White and Peter Budge.

Blackett said: "The evidence showed that this was a very tense match with emotions running high, particularly towards the end of the game and going into extra-time.