Paul Gustard would not be drawn into speculation of unsavoury events surrounding Dave Ward in Harlequins’ 20-13 victory over Wasps in Big Game 11.

Ward received a yellow card on 11 minutes for a stamp on Thomas Young, but there are suggestions that a spit was also aimed at the Wasps flanker at a packed Twickenham Stadium.

As officials will surely look at the alleged incident, Gustard was keen to turn focus on his side’s performance and not the spitting incident.

“The key word is ‘might,’” said Quins' head of rugby.

“We haven’t spoken to Dave (Ward) about it yet, the boys are reflecting on the performance in the changing room at the minute and seeing what we can do better for next week.”

READ: Player ratings from Quins v Wasps

Gustard, who’s side now sit fourth in England rugby’s top tier, said that although he will have words with Ward regarding the stamping incident, was eager to point at a potentially dangerous act of foul play on Mike Brown.

The full back was taken out in mid-air by Josh Bassett whilst competing for a high ball.

“Eighty-three thousand people saw someone land on their shoulders.

“To me the person underneath has a duty of care to Mike Brown in the air who is quite clearly competing for the ball. The guy underneath was irresponsible and it could’ve been a nasty accident. Thankfully he’s okay, but for me that was a big moment in the game.”

Ultimately Gustard was pleased with the result regardless of how it was achieved.

In a scrappy affair it was his Quins side who took the spoils thanks to tries from Alex Dombrandt and Joe Marchant with the extras added from the boot of Marcus Smith.

A late rally from Wasps was thwarted by a sturdy defensive effort as the visitors looked to be gaining the upper hand deep in the Quins 22.

“The performance was not great obviously but the result mattered more than the performance. From that aspect we showed resilience, tenacity, fight because we didn’t have the ball. We had to defend for 60 minutes of the game and didn’t have territory or possession but found a way to win which I’m really pleased about.

“I am happy with the position we are in.”