Former England international Phil Greening has been told to pay nearly £29,000 in damages following an on-field incident from five years ago.

And the Professional Rugby Players’ Association has been quick to warn against a “very dangerous precedent”.

Greening was ordered to compensate France winger Aurelien Rougerie after the latter sustained a throat injury following a hand-off.

The incident occurred when Wasps visited Clermont-Ferrand in 2002.

It resulted in a civil court action against the hooker, who earned 24 caps for his country before his retirement in 2005.

Rougerie, who played for France in the recent World Cup, initially sued for around £65,000 after undergoing three operations related to the injury.

 Greening always maintained it was the result of a fair challenge and PRPA chief executive Damian Hopley, a former England centre, told the Daily Mail: “This is very shocking for the game.

“It sets a very dangerous precedent in a full contact sport. Because of that there is a bound to be widespread concern at this ruling.

“Having seen a video of the incident, it was a very straightforward case of a hand-off.”

Wasps chief executive Tony Copsey added: “Phil is an employee of the club. It’s all quite unfortunate and complicated.”

Meanwhile, Rougerie’s lawyer, Jean Portejoie, said: “The court has given a very strong sign. As far as I am aware this is a first for this type of affair.”

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