Wasps lift Payne ban

Wasps have announced they have lifted a club suspension imposed on their England prop Tim Payne.

Payne's team-mate, Wales international Andy Powell, remains suspended pending further investigations into an incident in a London pub earlier this week.

Both players were suspended by Wasps on Tuesday.

Powell said he had been knocked unconscious and required stitches in a head wound after what he claimed was "a bit of banter" with football fans escalated into a fight.

Payne, it would appear, will now be available for Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash against Bath at Twickenham.

In a statement, Wasps said: "London Wasps have concluded an initial investigation into an incident involving Andy Powell and Tim Payne earlier this week, for which both players were suspended from the club.

"Based on the club's initial findings, Tim Payne's suspension has now been lifted.

"The investigation involving Andy Powell will continue and the player will remain under suspension until this has concluded. Until this investigation has been concluded, the club will make no further comment."

The Wasps board launched their investigation into the incident and have received a copy of CCTV footage from the Walkabout Pub in Shepherds Bush.

The Metropolitan Police's violent crimes unit are also investigating the incident. No arrests have been made, and Powell has said he does not want to press charges.