Powell leaves Wasps following club probe into London pub brawl with football fans

By CHRIS FOY FOR THE DAILY MAIL Updated: 02:53 EST, 5 May 2011

Andy Powell's career was plunged into fresh turmoil as Wasps released the Wales and Lions No 8 in the wake of his altercation with football fans in a London pub.

Following an investigation into the incident, which took place at the Walkabout bar in Shepherd's Bush on April 18, the club released a statement which said Powell's departure was 'by mutual consent'. But the reality is that this is a devastating blow for the 29-year-old.

Floored: The image from Twitter allegedly shows Andy Powell receiving help

The statement explained there had been 'a thorough and detailed review, between the player and the club, of all of the evidence arising from the incident for which Andy was initially suspended.

Both parties are satisfied that this matter has been dealt with in a proper, fair and appropriate manner and agree that the conclusion reached is in their respective best interests for the future.'

Powell was out drinking with Wasps team-mate and England prop Tim Payne when football supporters, who had been watching a match between QPR and Derby at nearby Loftus Road, came into the pub.

Banned: Wasps' Andy Powell (pictured with ball) has been suspended

International: Powell in action for Wales

After an exchange which the Welshman referred to as 'banter', he was set upon by a group of men and left with serious head wounds. Both he and Payne were suspended by their club, but the latter was reinstated after being cleared of any involvement in the fracas.

Powell had provisionally agreed a deal with Wasps whereby he would play until the end of this season, allow his contract to expire, join up with Wales as a free agent to train for and play in the World Cup, then return to Adams Park.

Last year, he achieved notoriety for drunkenly driving a golf buggy down the M4 after Wales's Six Nations win over Scotland in Cardiff. That led to a driving ban, a spell out of the national squad and his release by Cardiff Blues.

His Test prospects will hinge on a meeting with coach Warren Gatland and WRU chief executive Roger Lewis in the coming weeks.

He has only four games to cement his place in the Wales World Cup squad, which has to be named by August 22. They play the Barbarians, England home and away and then Argentina in Cardiff.

A source close to Powell recently described him as 'uncontrollable' and sadly that trait is undermining so much natural talent.

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