Glasgow Warriors rugby star DTH van der Merwe delivered knock-out blow to ...

A MAN was floored by a single punch from a Canadian rugby star after telling him to go back to America.

John Ross, 26, mouthed off at Glasgow Warriors winger DTH van der Merwe before allegedly spitting in his face after a row over a spilled drink in Glasgow bar Oran Mor.

The South African-born player knocked out Ross, then left the pub, where he had been celebrating his engagement with his fiancee.

In court, van der Merwe, 27, described approaching Ross in the row over the drink.

He said Ross told him to “f*** off back to America” and that he laughed off the comment and stood chatting with his hands in his pockets. Van der Merwe said: “I laughed it off because I’m not from America, I’m from Canada.”

He added: “I think it must have aggravated him a little more that I wasn’t really reacting to it.”

Asked what happened next, he said: “Mr Ross spat on my face.”

Van der Merwe admitted punching Ross, claiming he was provoked by his spitting.

PC Stuart Ash told the court van der Merwe was remorseful but Sheriff Alan Miller convicted him of assault.

He was ordered to pay a £300 fine and £400 compensation to Ross for injury caused during the incident in October 2011.

Ex-Saracens star van der Merwe has appeared more than 70 times for Warriors and played in the Rugby World Cup for Canada. His club declined to comment.

Warriors team-mate Ryan ­Wilson appeared in court last December charged with assaulting Glasgow Hawks rugby player Ally Maclay in the city’s west end in October.

He made no plea or declaration at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was granted bail.

Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/british-and-irish-lions-spy-fear-claims-dismissed-1-2961849

Glasgow Warriors rugby star DTH van der Merwe delivered knock-out blow to ...