Deal & Betteshanger are to seek legal advice before deciding whether to appeal against their 15-point deduction by the Rugby Football Union.

An RFU disciplinary committee handed out the punishment after the Lions' London 2 South East home league game with East Grinstead on October 30 was abandoned following a mass brawl involving players and spectators.

East Grinstead received a similar 15-point deduction at the hearing after both clubs were found guilty of misconduct and they also received an additional 15-point deduction suspended until the end of next season.

The Lions' board of directors met last week to consider their response and afterwards David Donachie, the club's publicity and discipline director, said: "We have decided to seek legal advice before lodging an appeal.

"We want to show respect for the RFU and their procedures, and we have to be careful because if we were deemed to have lodged a specious appeal then the sanction could be increased."

Although the 15-point deduction, if implemented, would send the Lions into the L2SE relegation zone, Mr Donachie said: "With a win now worth four points, plus a bonus point for four tries, the 15-point deduction is not as serious as it would have been last season when it was two points for a win.