Was Brian Ashton right about Danny Cipriani?

[DodgyAgent]

It was the norm to go out on the piss the night before the game in Brain Moores era

H&S might have something to with it and its demise has been going on since before rugby went pro but the RFU seem to be ignoring that fact it is happening and are stupidly throwing money at pro club rugby instead. Without new players the game is dead.

Indeed fewer schools may be playing it, but the sheer size of boys playing mini rugby with clubs has increased enormously. One problem though is that many players stop playing after school or University because of other lifestyle options (such as watching premier rugby) and work. The vacuum thank goodness has been taken up by touring colonials, which is great except that they are usually transient and return home eventually thus unable to contribute to the club later in their playing days.

[tay]

apologies Tay, the temptation was just irresistable. Cheap shot I know

B'stard! But quite well done ...*grumble*.. *grumble*

[Solent]

Not sure what message that sends out to everyone, play by fear for an over zealous management, who I’m sure never transgressed !!

Even Clive Woodward never minded the boys enjoying themselves... as long as they did not go overboard. Selection should be on the basis of the performance on the training pitch and their fitness there and then and not based on their personal lives.

But we all have our own views

[rootsnall]

It has become professional and taken aspects of the game (fitness discipline, refereeing, health of players..player falls down he is now surrounded instantly by medics) more seriously but I see no signs that it takes itself too seriously.

The Cipriani (non) incident, the constant arguing about money between the RFU and the clubs, the emergence of barry big time coaches playing at politics and moaning about refs and the oppostion rather than getting on with playing rugby, ........

[oracleslave]

The Cipriani (non) incident, the constant arguing about money between the RFU and the clubs, the emergence of barry big time coaches playing at politics and moaning about refs and the oppostion rather than getting on with playing rugby, ........

Those type of things occur in all professional sports imo. Rugby is no exception

[rootsnall]

Indeed fewer schools may be playing it, but the sheer size of boys playing mini rugby with clubs has increased enormously.

Not in the North West it hasn't, clubs that previously had 5 and 6 teams are now struggling to turn out a single team. This is in what was previously a very strong rugby area because it was played in state schools. I think a few clubs have bucked the trend with mini rugby but not many.

[DodgyAgent]

Not sure what message that sends out to everyone, play by fear for an over zealous management, who I’m sure never transgressed !!

Even Clive Woodward never minded the boys enjoying themselves... as long as they did not go overboard. Selection should be on the basis of the performance on the training pitch and their fitness there and then and not based on their personal lives.

But we all have our own views

The message it sends is that England take their match against Scotland very seriously indeed. A lot of this is about perception and at least Cipriani knows the rules as do the others. I think the new England football manager is intending to do the same.. and good on him.

[DodgyAgent]

Not in the North West it hasn't, clubs that previously had 5 and 6 teams are now struggling to turn out a single team. This is in what was previously a very strong rugby area because it was played in state schools. I think a few clubs have bucked the trend with mini rugby but not many.

I suppose Orrell is one example of a declining club. Not many aussies go there do they?

[Solent]

The message it sends is that England take their match against Scotland very seriously indeed. A lot of this is about perception and at least Cipriani knows the rules as do the others. I think the new England football manager is intending to do the same.. and good on him

I agree about taking the match seriously, any player would and should, but dropping tickets off, not drinking and only being 15 minutes. Overboard I think by Brian

[DodgyAgent]

I agree about taking the match seriously, any player would and should, but dropping tickets off, not drinking and only being 15 minutes. Overboard I think by Brian

Had it been one of the established players then fine, but this was the new kid on the block.