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'The media played out the club was in massive dispute or at civil war... it wasn't'

By Liam Heagney
Dan Cole (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Dan Cole has claimed media spin was to blame for Leicester making the wrong sort of headlines in recent weeks. There were allegations that the across the board pay cuts at the club due to the indefinite suspension of the season had sparked a revolt by a number of players. But the tighthead has played down the rancour, insisting some reports didn’t reflect the actual mood at the Premiership club. 

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“The problem with coming out in the media is it gets a spin on it that isn’t the tone of what was probably actually going on,” said Cole on the latest Leicester Tigers TV weekly update.

“Yes, as players of course you speak to your agents and seek legal counsel. It’s unprecedented times in what we are doing. Everyone is entitled to do that and the media have played out that the club was in massive dispute or at civil war and it wasn’t the case at all. 

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“Because no one knows what is going on really, you’re allowed find advice and that is what people did and obviously that has got out one way or another and tried to stir the pot when actually the club and the players have worked really hard to protect the club which is the most important thing.”

Cole’s last match before the coronavirus pandemic’s stoppage of rugby was eight weeks ago on March 7 at Saracens. With Leicester locked out of their Oval Park training ground due to the lockdown restrictions, there is a concern that players might struggle to stay fine-tuned due to the limited training options they have at home. 

However, the prop – who turns 33 on May 9 – said all was well with efforts to ensure his 19st-plus frame was ticking along nicely despite the rugby restrictions. “I’m keeping my mass on. Don’t worry about that. I spoke to Boris Stankovich, ‘the nutritionist’, before lockdown and he gave me his eating plan. 

“There is only so much scrummaging the boys will do in the back garden. You’re basically just trying to keep your neck strength up and that’s about it really. You sort of neck, shoulder strength, all the stuff that comes in contact. But you can’t really replicate. I’m not pushing against the tree anyway in the back garden yet.” 

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Bull Shark 14 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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