Player shoves Wayne Barnes

Georgian flanker Viktor Kolelishvili shoves Wayne Barnes.

Georgian flanker Viktor Kolelishvili was lucky to escape with just a telling off and a penalty after he pushed referee Wayne Barnes during Clermont's defeat by the Ospreys in the weekend.

The French visitors were defending a 7-3 lead at the time of the incident, thanks to an early try from Wesley Fofana, when Kolelishvili grew frustrated with Barnes' positioning.

The Georgian then shoved Barnes as Clermont prepared to repel another Ospreys attack drawing cries of derision from the home crowd.

Barnes was well within his rights to hand Kolelishvili a red card but instead just gave him a warning.

"If I'm standing in your way please just ask me to move," Barnes said.

Not sure Viktor Kolelishbili is a fan of Wayne Barnes! #ERCC #ChampionsCuphttps://t.co/XNPLNRiDwg
https://t.co/Ki4mmgESf1

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) January 15, 2016

What a nuts thing to do! Fair play to Wayne Barnes for not over reacting. https://t.co/RTaC95VFQZ

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 15, 2016

Kolelishvili was sent to the bin not long after however, for two blows on Alun Wyn Jones off the ball.

Though in an act of sportsmanship Jones asked Barnes to leave Kolelishvili on the field, but the request was denied by the referee.

However instead of playacting or feigning injury, and to the astonishment of many, the Welsh second row pleaded with Wayne Barnes not to sin bin the Georgian international.

Sam Davies came off the bench for Ospreys to kick four penalties and a drop kick to secure a 21-13 win.