Friday 20 January 2017 06:52, UK
Sale Sharks have terminated the contract of Tom Arscott with immediate effect after a disciplinary investigation and hearing.
Arscott was suspended by the club for allegedly leaking information to opponents Bristol in January, director of rugby Steve Diamond confirmed on Tuesday.
Bristol fought back from 15-0 down to win the Aviva Premiership encounter 24-23 at the AJ Bell Stadium on New Year's Day.
Arscott was suspended after some of his team-mates expressed concerns to the coaching staff and was the subject of an internal investigation by Sale.
Sale have stated that no further comment will be made, in accordance with the club's disciplinary procedure.
Diamond told Sky Sports News HQ: "Senior players came to me and said they had heard that information had been passed from one group to another.
"We set a disciplinary up and, in order to do that, we informed the RFU."
When asked how Sale's senior players learned that information had been leaked, Diamond said: "I don't really know the full details of it. That information has been passed onto the RFU.
"Effectively a player has met with the opposition and given them some information - that is all I am allowed to say."
