Rugby star fears England ban over drunken attack
RUGBY star Danny Cipriani faces a crunch meeting with England’s head coach Eddie Jones after he was fined £2,000 yesterday for assaulting a nightclub bouncer and resisting arrest.
The fly-half’s hopes of competing in next year’s World Cup are in the balance, after his arrest at a Jersey nightclub.
Cipriani pulled off the bouncer’s bodyworn security camera, and a female police officer was hurt as he struggled with her at the Royal Yacht Hotel in St Helier.
As the 30-year-old was taken to a police car he reportedly said: “These wrists are gold, loosen the cuffs.”
He was charged with assault, assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, larceny and being disorderly on licensed premises.
At Jersey magistrates court he admitted common assault and resisting arrest. The other charges were dropped.
He was fined £1,500 for resisting arrest, £500 for assault and ordered to pay the officer £250 compensation.
Cipriani later issued a “heartfelt apology” to “my club, team-mates, supporters and most importantly the police.
“They have a tough and vital job and I’m mortified that I acted in a way that I hugely regret. I am truly sorry”.
Trouble flared at the Drift nightclub in the hotel at 1am on Wednesday after Cipriani had had “too many drinks”. He was walking outside with two drinks when a doorman tried to stop him.
“He was aggressive so the doorman activated his bodyworn camera,” said Samantha Morris, prosecuting.
Cipriani pulled off the camera. He told police he did not understand why he was being arrested, bruising the officer’s neck as she tried to handcuff him.
Cipriani worked hard to get back into the England set-up and impressed head coach Jones on a tour of South Africa in June. Some say Jones could overlook the Jersey bust-up as he is only strict on players while on England duty.