Mike Catt told Danny Cipriani 'I will end your England career' before fly-half was cut from Rugby World Cup squad as RFU confirm training ground clash

It was supposed to be a squad day off, but England found themselves in fire-fighting mode again yesterday, in relation to Mike Catt’s remarkable training-ground outburst at Danny Cipriani.

As reported by Sportsmail on Monday, the attacking-skills coach and the fly-half were involved in a verbal confrontation at England’s Surrey HQ at the end of August, shortly after Cipriani had been told he would not be in the final World Cup squad of 31. 

Catt over-reacted to a perceived lack of effort in a training drill and allegedly told the 27-year-old twice: ‘I will end your England career’.

The RFU confirmed a training ground incident occurred between Danny Cipriani (left) and coach Mike Catt 

Catt (second right with Stuart Lancaster's England coaching staff) told Cipriani: 'I will end your England career'

Other players are said to have been so taken aback by the force of the coach’s remarks that they sided with their team-mate and it is understood Catt later apologised. 

There was a concerted attempt to prevent the incident coming to light, but details emerged this week and forced the RFU into another damage-limitation exercise.

In the aftermath of England’s defeat against Australia which confirmed the pool-stage exit from their home tournament, alleged pre-match comments by Billy Vunipola came to light, suggesting unrest in the ranks over the selection of Sam Burgess and coach Andy Farrell’s dominant influence. 

RFU officials were forced into a scramble to address these off-message revelations that cast doubt on the official image of serene unity.

Now news of the Catt-Cipriani row has prompted another clear-up exercise. 

Cipriani heard news that he would be cut from the final World Cup squad just hours before the clash

A spokesman emphasised that the coach’s outburst came — crucially — after the player had learned he was to be cut from the squad, saying: ‘Danny and Mike were involved in a robust conversation on the training pitch following a misunderstanding around a training-drill instruction.

'Both shook hands afterwards and the incident had no bearing on selection.’

The incident does not create a favourable impression given that Cipriani’s case for inclusion was widely supported by public and pundits, but not by the coaches. 

Any suggestion of a personal agenda against him would create a stench.

The RFU denies there was almost a mutiny in the England ranks between the coach and players 

The damage-limitation operation continued yesterday. Despite having other significant issues on their plate — with a World Cup review pending — England and the RFU micro-managed the fallout from this episode. 

It is understood that Cipriani intended to respond publicly but there was a determination to sanitise all comment on the subject. Numerous phone calls were made to douse the flames.

But the fire keeps spreading. England will discover this morning whether they face any action over allegations that two coaches confronted a match official during half-time in their defeat by Australia, in defiance of regulations. 

The investigation has rumbled on longer than expected, suggesting that there may be a significant development.

It is understood that fly-half Cipriani intended to respond publicly but was discouraged from doing so

James Haskell (left) responded furiously on Twitter to criticism from England World Cup winner Neil Back

Meanwhile, as he prepares for a return to the starting line-up for the meaningless encounter with Uruguay on Saturday, England flanker James Haskell became embroiled yesterday in a social-media spat with a World Cup- winning predecessor.

Neil Back lit the fuse when he tweeted: ‘Don’t take your selfie stick out on to the pitch before the game like you did against Fiji on 18th Sept.’

Haskell bit back: ‘I wasn’t even playing! You’re so old and out of touch, your eyes don’t work. I hope your book sales go better than your coaching.’ 

He went on: ‘You were one of my childhood rugby heroes, yet your general negativity towards myself and the team is appalling. You talk about my self-promotion, yet you have released a sensationalist book just to make cash.’

England's Cipriani and Catt in training ground bust-up - report

LONDON (Reuters) - England flyhalf Danny Cipriani and attack coach Mike Catt were involved in a heated training ground argument before the Rugby World Cup, British newspapers reported on Wednesday.

The incident happened after 27-year-old Cipriani was informed that he had not made the final 31-man squad for the tournament but before it was announced publicly five weeks ago.

Catt, 44, threatened Cipriani twice and told him he would "end his England career" before other players stepped in to separate the pair, the Daily Mail reported.

The Rugby Football Union played down the seriousness of the altercation.

"Danny and Mike were involved in a robust conversation on the training pitch following a misunderstanding around a training drill instruction," an RFU spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Both shook hands afterwards and the incident played no bearing on selection."

Cipriani, a gifted and exciting attacking player but whose defensive qualities have been questioned, has represented England 14 times since making his debut in 2008.

His omission from the World Cup squad after playing well in England's warm-up matches provoked considerable debate and coach Stuart Lancaster was criticised for favouring more defensive players, including rugby league convert Sam Burgess.

England, knocked out of the tournament after losing to Wales and Australia, play Uruguay in their final Pool A game on Saturday.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by David Goodman)

Danny Cipriani blasts Gordon D'Arcy after his criticism of England's Sam Burgess

D'Arcy claimed that Burgess had embarrassed his colleagues in England's damaging Twickenham defeat to Wales

Danny Cipriani has blasted Gordon D'Arcy following the former Ireland star's criticism of England's Slammin' Sam Burgess.

In a newspaper column earlier this week D'Arcy claimed that Burgess, the Rugby League convert whose selection in the England squad for the World Cup split opinion, had embarrassed his colleagues in England's damaging Twickenham defeat to Wales.

"His naivety embarrassed all around him and severely damaged England's chances of reaching the quarter-finals," D'Arcy wrote in his Irish Times column.

D'Arcy insisted there was no way that Burgess could have learned to play in the vital no 12 role at Test level in such a short space of time.

"Burgess lacks the sense of timing, in attack and defence, required to be effective at international level," the Wexford native noted.

"Stuart picked a league convert who doesn’t know how to play inside centre for the biggest match England have played since the 2007 World Cup final."

But England out-half Cipriani, who just missed out on Stuart Lancaster's World Cup squad, claims D'Arcy was being mischievous in his comments.

“Gordon D’Arcy is never going to give a positive quote on England, and it’s never going to be a fair reflection," Cipriani wrote in his Paddy Power blog.

"His priorities have to lie with Ireland, and that’s his prerogative.

"What he was quoted in the papers as saying isn’t accurate, Sam Burgess wasn’t embarrassing at all in the Wales game.

"A lot of other pundits and a lot of other reports from people who watched the game said that he played well.

"He did a great job at 12 with all the pressure that was put on him.

"He’ll be disappointed to be dropped this week, but he’ll bounce back.”

Burgess paid the price for his display as he was one of three players axed by Lancaster for the do or die Pool A clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday night, with Jonathan Joseph re-introduced and Brad Barritt moving back into the Burgess slot.

But Cipriani claims that D'Arcy's criticism should be taken in context, even if the Irishman is an expert in the role of a no 12 - having partnered Brian O'Driscoll in the centre for most of his illustrious career.

The controversial 14-times capped no 10 said: “It’s great that Darcy is adding fuel to the fire and sparking debate, but you can’t seriously believe that that is what he truly believes.

"Putting more pressure on England this weekend helps Ireland.

"It not only adds to the rivalry, but in the long run, England stumbling is beneficial to Ireland’s World Cup chances.

"Don’t read into what D'Arcy said, Burgess had a very good game.

“These comments won’t get any attention in the England camp.

"Journalists have a job to sell papers, and if they can make their report a little bit more controversial then they will.

"The players won’t be paying any attention to this, they’ll just be focussed on the Australia.”

Danny Cipriani: Relationship with Mike Catt is fine following training ground bust-up

Danny Cipriani says he still dreams of playing for England again and that he has a “good working relationship” with national team assistant Mike Catt.

Cipriani was not part of England’s failed World Cup campaign but he hit the news this week when reports emerged of a pre-tournament training ground bust-up with Red Rose attacking skills coach Catt.

MikeCatt pictured with head coach Stuart Lancaster.

England have played down what they described as a “robust conversation” which came about following a “misunderstanding”, and Cipriani also appears to have drawn a line under the incident as well.

The Sale fly-half wrote in his column in The Sun: “There has been a lot said about a training ground incident I had with Mike Catt this week when I was with England.

“But I respect what happens in the England camp and what goes on there, stays there.

“We spoke and addressed the issue the next day and we have a good working relationship.”

The flashpoint happened the day before England’s World Cup squad was officially announced in August, with Cipriani discovering the previous evening that he was to be omitted from the final 31 with George Ford and Owen Farrell getting the nods.

England would go on to suffer World Cup ignominy as the hosts were knocked out before the end of the group stages following back-to-back defeats to Wales and Australia.

That has led to speculation about the futures of the England coaching team and some of the team, but Cipriani says there is no need to panic and has called for unity.

The 27-year-old is also hoping he can push his claims for an international recall ahead of the Six Nations.

“We now need to regroup and rebuild. Whatever happens, we need to move forward as one now,” he wrote.

“I don’t think there’s a reason to panic and think that the English game is doomed. There are still a lot of world-class players in that England squad.

He added: “For me, playing for England is still my dream.

“The commitment and drive to put on the white shirt is still there. Everyone is going to go out there and put their hands up and say ’pick me’.

“Sale Sharks are now my priority along with getting stuck into the season. If I play well for them, that’s all I can do to be selected for the Six Nations squad.”

ends

England’s Danny Cipriani plays down training ground spat with Mike Catt

Danny Cipriani says he still dreams of playing for England again and that he has a “good working relationship” with national team assistant Mike Catt.

Cipriani was not part of England’s failed World Cup campaign but he hit the news this week when reports emerged of a pre-tournament training ground bust-upwith the Red Rose attacking skills coach Catt.

England have played down what they described as a “robust conversation” which came about following a “misunderstanding”, and Cipriani also appears to have drawn a line under the incident as well.

The Sale fly-half wrote in his column in the Sun: “There has been a lot said about a training ground incident I had with Mike Catt this week when I was with England.

“But I respect what happens in the England camp and what goes on there, stays there. We spoke and addressed the issue the next day and we have a good working relationship.”

The flashpoint happened the day before England’s World Cup squad was officially announced in August, with Cipriani discovering the previous evening that he was to be omitted from the final 31 with George Ford and Owen Farrell getting the nods.

England would go on to suffer World Cup ignominy as the hosts were knocked out before the end of the group stages following back-to-back defeats to Wales and Australia.

That has led to speculation about the futures of the England coaching team and some of the team, but Cipriani says there is no need to panic and has called for unity.

The 27-year-old is also hoping he can push his claims for an international recall in the buildup to the Six Nations.

“We now need to regroup and rebuild. Whatever happens, we need to move forward as one now,” he wrote.

“I don’t think there’s a reason to panic and think that the English game is doomed. There are still a lot of world-class players in that England squad.”

He added: “For me, playing for England is still my dream. The commitment and drive to put on the white shirt is still there. Everyone is going to go out there and put their hands up and say ‘pick me’.

“Sale Sharks are now my priority along with getting stuck into the season. If I play well for them, that’s all I can do to be selected for the Six Nations squad.”