NORTHAMPTON’S match against Bath in rugby union’s Guinness Premiership was interrupted by the referee in unprecedented circumstances yesterday after complaints from members of the crowd at Franklin’s Gardens that players on both sides had been racially abusing one another.

The spectators, supporters of both teams, complained to Northampton security officials, who told the referee Wayne Barnes that the players should be warned to stop the alleged abuse.

Barnes was called to the touchline in the 57th minute following a scrum stoppage and after consultation with his fourth official, David Rose, the referee summoned the team captains, Bruce Reihana of Northampton and Bath’s Zak Feaunati. They then called their respective teams into huddles to relay the warning.

According to David Powell, the Northampton ground manager, the complaints came from four spectators — three Bath supporters and one Northampton fan — who were sitting together. They communicated their concerns to a steward, who passed them on to senior security officials. The fourth official was then alerted.

Last night it was claimed that six Bath supporters had given signed witness statements to security officials at Franklin’s Gardens, alleging that Andy Higgins, the Bath wing, had been called a “black bastard” by a Northampton player in the second half after he refused to return the ball to the Saints after the referee had blown his whistle for an infringement.

Higgins, however, refused to shed any light on the alleged incident, saying: “There are always strong words, but I don’t know about any of these allegations, and I’m not going to talk about it.”

Although there had been few signs of serious antipathy on the pitch during the game, there had been sledging when goalkickers were lining up to take penalties. Both teams are among the more multicultural in Britain, with several black players.

A senior Northampton player denied there was any racial element to the sledging. “There was abuse thrown out but it was just sledging — putting people off kicks and stuff like that,” he said. “Sure, it’s abuse, but there was no racism.”

Allegations of racial abuse in rugby are rare, but not unknown. Victor Ubogu, England’s Nigerian-born prop, complained of being subjected to a tirade from the New Zealand front row at Twickenham in 1993. In December 2001, the Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam and Newcastle flanker Epi Taione were sent off for fighting during a Premiership match amid allegations of racial abuse. No charges were brought.

An RFU spokesman said last night that the governing body would launch an immediate inquiry.