Harlequins have suspended hooker Dave Ward for one match after he admitted to deliberately treading on Wasps flanker Thomas Young’s ankle, but he has denied allegations that he spat at his opponent seconds before the incident.

Ward was shown a yellow card for his actions that triggered an angry response from Young, the son of Wasps director of rugby Dai Young. The flare-up came during the first half of an ill-disciplined affair at Twickenham, one that had also seen Ward perform a neck roll on Young just minutes before, which saw Harlequins run out 20-13 winners in their annual festive fixture in front of more than 80,000 fans.

The 33-year-old Quins forward was up-ended by Young after referee Craig Maxwell-Keys had stopped play, but replays showed that he had triggered the incident with foul play and was duly sin-binned. Young was given a verbal warning for his retaliation.

Ward said: “I apologise unreservedly to Thomas Young, Wasps and everyone at Harlequins for my yellow card yesterday.

“I would also like to make clear that I did not spit on another player during the match yesterday. Regardless of what the television footage looks like I know that I have never spat on a player in all my career and will never do so.”

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Show all 15 1 /15 Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Cian Healy (Ireland) Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ken Owens (Wales) The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Kyle Sinckler (England) Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Maro Itoje (England) The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock. REUTERS Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish. AP Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ellis Jenkins (Wales) Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match. AFP/Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Mark Wilson (England) Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking. EPA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Greig Laidlaw (Scotland) May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell. PA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Owen Farrell (England) Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup. REUTERS Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Bundee Aki (Ireland) The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy. PA Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Garry Ringrose (Ireland) He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick. AP Rugby internationals – team of the autumn George North (Wales) Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn. Getty Images Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Israel Folau (Australia) The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn. Getty Images

However, television replays showed Ward spitting as he approached Young and his Wasps teammate, Nizaam Carr, who was on the turf at the time, yet after reviewing the incident Harlequins believe Ward has no case to answer on that front. The Rugby Football Union could yet disagree, as the match citing commissioner has 24 hours from the end of the match to make a citing over any alleged foul play that in their opinion warranted a red card.

A Harlequins statement released on Sunday read: “Following the Premiership match between Harlequins and Wasps at Twickenham on 29th December the club has reviewed an incident involving Dave Ward and Thomas Young in the 10th minute, which led to a yellow card for Ward. Following this review the Club has decided to give Dave Ward a one game suspension for treading on Thomas Young's ankle.”

Dave Ward was shown a yellow card for treading on Thomas Young (Getty)

The one-game internal suspension is likely to be taken into account should any disciplinary proceedings be launched by the RFU, while both Ward and Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard apologised for the incident.

“We have reviewed this episode as a club and I have spoken with Dave,” said Gustard. “We do not coach, condone or accept foul play and on behalf of the team and the club, I apologise to Thomas, Dai and Wasps for this incident. It was an unnecessary and regrettable incident in what was a tightly contested match at Twickenham.”