England side for the Barbarians game

[padprop]

Video circulating Whatsapp of the 12 Barbarians boys drinking together upstairs in Bella Italia

Couldn't make it up

[Banquo]

Cancelled. Nice one. RFU will likely have to cough money back to Sky.

Those players need a good look in the mirror.

If they've been far-sighted, the RFU will've had the game insured against COVID-related cancellation and might actually be in a better financial situation with it off than on.

Puja

Good luck with getting that insurance.

[Danno]

Like there wouldn't be a clause invalidating the policy in the event of people breaking the rules

[Danno]

Video circulating Whatsapp of the 12 Barbarians boys drinking together upstairs in Bella Italia

Couldn't make it up

Spill some names mate!

[Mellsblue]

Video circulating Whatsapp of the 12 Barbarians boys drinking together upstairs in Bella Italia

Couldn't make it up

Spill some names mate!

Or post the video on here (if possible)

[Scrumhead]

If that‘s the case, I wouldn’t be surprised if an example is made of the players and Bella Italia.

If they’re allowed to get away with it, it’ll give too many people an excuse to flout the restrictions.

[Mr Mwenda]

Surely they'll just claim it's an eye test?

[padprop]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fivepointer]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... ugby-union

"Already the RFU has had to refund 30,000 tickets that were sold when the match was scheduled for June and the union is likely to be liable for a rebate, which could be worth up to £1m to Sky Sports, who were set to bring the curtain down on a five-year £30m deal for England matches on Sunday. The RFU may well seek compensation from the Barbarians given the title sponsors Quilter may also want a rebate......
All Barbarians players had to sign up to a Covid code of conduct and they were constantly reminded of the need to maintain the strict biosecure bubble at twice-daily meetings and on a squad WhatsApp group. It is understood that once they had tested negative earlier in the week, the bubble was extended to allow them to go for walks and to the cafe in nearby Hyde Park, provided they were socially distanced. Both breaches went beyond that however, with the Barbarians “absolutely mortified” at the “idiotic” behaviour of the players"

The case for a bringing the game into disrepute charge against these players seems very strong to me. Moreover, they have clearly breached their contractual obligations. Could they be liable for damages, I wonder?

[Oakboy]

Who has the TV rights for England matches now? Can Sky only have a claim for this match?

[Mellsblue]

According to the times, the Bella Italia trip is only the breach they were initially caught out on. There was also an unofficial training session outside the bubble at a local school and a few low-key drinks the night before Bella Italia. Assuming the training sessions was bubble secure (if that is a phrase?!?!?) I think damning them for that is ott but everything else is just sheer stupidity.
I quite fancy any financial loses suffered by the RFU to be quantified in job losses. I’m sure the players involved would love to fund those jobs for the next 5 (?) years.

[Puja]

Who has the TV rights for England matches now? Can Sky only have a claim for this match?

The other autumn games are on Amazon. Beyond that, I think it's up for negotiation.

Puja

[Puja]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... ugby-union

To add to the group of people to feel sorry for, imagine being one of the "five Welsh youngsters" who the Barbarians called up after the initial breach and who apparently got as far as the team hotel before it was cancelled. The excitement they probably had for suddenly getting an opportunity for the biggest game of their lives and then having it taken away.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... ugby-union

To add to the group of people to feel sorry for, imagine being one of the "five Welsh youngsters" who the Barbarians called up after the initial breach and who apparently got as far as the team hotel before it was cancelled. The excitement they probably had for suddenly getting an opportunity for the biggest game of their lives and then having it taken away.

Puja

Just a massive shit-show all round really. Incredibly fitting really.

[Puja]

The thought has occurred to me that the repercussions of this could go further for Robshaw. His new club, San Diego Legion, have form for prioritising off-field behaviour and character. Last year, they cancelled a contract with Steffon Armitage after he was found guilty of sexual assault in France after groping a waitress - SArmitage would've been a big signing for them, but they reacted immediately saying that they only wanted signings that would uphold certain values.

The contracts are not large enough that it'll be making a big impact on his pension, but it's another 2-3 years of getting paid to play rugby (with various "coaching" and "housing" subsidies bumping it up outside of the salary top hat cap). Wonder if he's better off doing damage limitation or hoping the furore dies down before reaching that side of the Atlantic.

Puja

[Digby]

He could probably turn up in the USA claiming he'd been penalised by the liberal elite over a hoax disease and only boost his commercial value to many outlets

[Puja]

He could probably turn up in the USA claiming he'd been penalised by the liberal elite over a hoax disease and only boost his commercial value to many outlets

Might play if he was joining Utah - don't know how much traction he'd get from solidly blue San Diego.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Who has the TV rights for England matches now? Can Sky only have a claim for this match?

The other autumn games are on Amazon. Beyond that, I think it's up for negotiation.

Puja

So, might Sky back off in the compensation claim in return for future consideration?

[Mikey Brown]

I can see where you're coming from, but it's surely a bit much to compare to the Armitage thing. Any of those players could have made a decision not go out and the outcome would have been no different. It's a huge collective error though.

I'm curious what the coaching team were aware of. Have any details come out on that side?

[Digby]

He could probably turn up in the USA claiming he'd been penalised by the liberal elite over a hoax disease and only boost his commercial value to many outlets

Might play if he was joining Utah - don't know how much traction he'd get from solidly blue San Diego.

Puja

Tell 'em he likes surfing and pho and he'll be fine

[Puja]

I can see where you're coming from, but it's surely a bit much to compare to the Armitage thing. Any of those players could have made a decision not go out and the outcome would have been no different. It's a huge collective error though.

I'm curious what the coaching team were aware of. Have any details come out on that side?

I hope you're right, but if the owners are trying to build a wholesome brand, they might be a bit narked if the first google result for their star signing is him being found to have brought the game into disrepute.

Puja

[Digby]

The bigger thing is are the owners of San Diego Surfer Dudes Rugby looking for a reason not to pay Robshaw's wages in a Covid economy, and can they make use of this incident?

[Puja]

The bigger thing is are the owners of San Diego Surfer Dudes Rugby looking for a reason not to pay Robshaw's wages in a Covid economy, and can they make use of this incident?

I wouldn't've thought so. The league is young enough that it's losing money regularly regardless and owners of a franchise are rich and in it for the love of it. Plus, Robshaw's only going ro be on $50k per season (max wage allowed) plus perks, so cutting him wouldn't save that much money.

Puja

[Digby]

The bigger thing is are the owners of San Diego Surfer Dudes Rugby looking for a reason not to pay Robshaw's wages in a Covid economy, and can they make use of this incident?

I wouldn't've thought so. The league is young enough that it's losing money regularly regardless and owners of a franchise are rich and in it for the love of it. Plus, Robshaw's only going ro be on $50k per season (max wage allowed) plus perks, so cutting him wouldn't save that much money.

Puja

Is he then on a Sarries type deal, low stated value on the books and quite a chunk more off the books? All those off book payments still need funding in the new normal.

[Peej]

Lot going on here I think. Why the BaaBaas management put them in Park Lane and all the associated temptations should be questionned. Also, if they were allowed to go for coffee as reported, why is this any different?

BUT for the players, why think they could do this if they had, as the BBs management says, told them they couldn't?

Finally - of all the places you could go, why Bella Italia?