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RPA takes swipe at EPCR's 'watered down statement' after Vunipola fan incident
Damian Hopley will raise serious concerns over player safety with English rugby chiefs tomorrow after Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola was confronted by a Munster supporter on the Ricoh Arena pitch after the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final.
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Hopley, CEO of Rugby Players Association which represents England’s professional players, will use tomorrow’s Professional Game Board meeting in London to call for an urgent review of stewarding levels at major matches to ensure there is no repeat of the incident when the Cup final takes place between Saracens and Leinster at St. James’ Park in Newcastle on May 11th. The PGB is made up of representatives of the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby, Championship Clubs and the RPA to monitor and manage all issues to do with playing professional rugby in England.
Vunipola was the target of constant booing during Saracens 32-16 win following his social media comments about Wallaby full back Israel Folau’s claim that gay people would go to Hell. Vunipola was issued with formal warnings by the RFU and his Saracens club after “liking” Folau’s post and a Munster fan invaded the Ricoh Arena pitch to gesticulate at the England forward at the end of the semi-final.
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Watch: Munster issue statement on Vunipola incident
Hopley told RugbyPass: “This is a massive issue and there was a pretty watered down statement from the European Cup organisers following the incident but this was a fundamental breach of security. We have seen incidents this season in football with players assaulted and who knows what may happen when an alcohol fuelled spectator who wants to be the big man on the day of a major rugby match and enters the field of play. Then we are entering dangerous territory.
“It was a pretty dark day for the sport that the breach happened at the Ricoh Arena and you would have hoped the authorities could have dealt with it in an appropriate way. We will be raising the incident with the PGB because player safety has to be paramount. The safety of the athletes who are generating all of his interest and income for the sport is vital and we cannot have anything that jeopardises their health and wellbeing.
“We have seen pressure growing in the game and I love the passion of supporters but it is important everyone takes a deep breath, remembers this is still a game and have a sense of perspective. The events at the Ricoh are a wake-up call to not sit on our laurels and to make sure that the stewarding is at a level that ensures we do not have a repeat of that incident. There is going to be an incredible final in Newcastle and we need it to be a great advert for the sport.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments