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: 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.”

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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.”