Wasps keep the lid on Cipriani clash
October 08 2008
The stories broke everywhere on Wednesday of the training ground punch-up between Josh Lewsey and Danny Cipriani at Wasps, but the club swiftly denied any lingering bad sentiment.
Lewsey is said to have knocked Cipriani out with a right hook, after having taunted the fly-half about missed tackles during training and then been told to 'shut up or be shut up'.
"Rugby is a fiery and physical game, and incidents like this happen in training sessions all the time," said a Wasps spokesperson.
"There is no issue and there is no problem between Danny and Josh. They are friends and team-mates."
But doubts remain, particularly after the London Evening Standard quoted another Wasps source as saying: "It was certainly one hell of a punch because Danny was out cold."
Whatever the truth, something did happen, and it compounds a miserable start to the season for the Guinness Premiership champions, who have lost five of their first six Premiership matches as well as their opening EDF Energy Cup match, and look to be heading into their Heineken Cup campaign half-cooked.
Earlier this week, Cipriani explained how the Wasps' coach, Shaun Edwards, had told his players to step up their intensity for the visit of Castres.
"We will be more aggressive, we will run harder and we will have that edge that we lacked," Cipriani said.
"It is about time we stand up and make our fans proud. Shaun Edwards has hit home with a few truths and really made a few points clear to some of the guys. We needed it and it needed to be said."
Edwards said the incident was nothing out of the ordinary for such a tense period.
"It is Heineken Cup week. There is always a fight in Heineken Cup week," Edwards said.
"We don't condone punching, particularly in a game because you get sent off for it, but sometimes in training emotions run a little bit wild.
We encourage emotion. Rugby is an emotional game and the Heineken Cup is one of the most emotional competitions in world rugby. When it is Heineken Cup week there is an extra edge in training."
Edwards insisted Cipriani has not become too big for his boots and played down suggestions his profile was causing a distraction or jealousy within the squad.
"Danny is treated the same here as everybody else," said Edwards.
"If he is late for training he will be fined and if his training is not up to scratch he gets told off, as everyone else does. What goes into the papers is out of our control. All that we can do is make sure that Danny's got a good attitude to training, leaves his ego at the door as the rest of the players do and works hard, as he has done over the last three years.
"No-one at this club is questioning his commitment. He is one of the hardest working players at the club. If he was late for training I would be a lot more concerned."
Team-mate James Haskell can understand why the incident occurred as Wasps attempt to sharpen their edge after such a disappointing start to the new season.
"Intensity is what has been lacking on the field," Haskell explained.
"To get it back you have to start on the training field because if you can't do it there, then you won't do it in a match. I like it when there is an edge to training. That niggle is good for everyone."