Rugby star avoids RFU ban after Jersey nightclub assault

Wednesday 22 August 2018

Rugby star Danny Cipriani has avoided a ban by the Rugby Football Union after he assaulted a bouncer and bruised a female police officer in a scuffle outside a Jersey nightclub last week.

The RFU found the fly-half guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game, but won’t be taking any further action.

The decision means he’ll be able to play for Gloucester in their pre-season fixture against the Dragons on tonight and will be available for England’s selection camp in late September.

It came in the latest in a series of hearings the England international has faced following his conviction for common assault and resisting arrest in connection with an incident at the Royal Yacht in the early hours of last Wednesday morning.

“Danny Cipriani is expected to behave in line with the core values of the game."

Cipriani RFU disciplinary judgement: https://t.co/0NNuEod4dF pic.twitter.com/KLCOxvJ8ZP

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 22, 2018

Last Thursday, he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court and was fined £2,000 and order to pay £250 compensation to a female police officer who’d suffered minor injuries when she tried to arrest him.

Then earlier this week, his club, Gloucester RFC, also fined him £2,000 in connection with the incident. The money went to two charities. In addition, he was given 10 hours community service, which involves giving youngsters rugby training.

Yesterday’s RFU disciplinary in front of three-man panel lasted five hours.

Pictured: Cipriani was fined £2,000 in Jersey's Magistrate's Court for common assault and resisting arrest.

“Danny Cipriani is expected to behave in line with the core values of the game which include respect and discipline,” said Gareth Graham, who chaired the panel.

“Those core values are not empty words or slogans as the panel were reminded during the hearing. Mr Cipriani is a role model and by committing an act of common assault and by resisting arrest, the panel find his actions are prejudicial to the interests of the game.”

Gloucester released a statement shortly after the verdict was announced in which the club’s chief executive, Stephen Vaughan, said: “Whilst disappointed at the verdict this evening, we accept the decision of the panel, particularly concerning the way Gloucester have handled the matter. We believe that the panel’s decision not to impose any additional penalty endorses our approach. We now look forward to the start of the season and putting this incident behind us.”

 Lead photo: The Royal Yacht, where the assault occurred last week, and Cipriani attending his RFU disciplinary hearing. (PA)