RFU charges 13 Barbarians players for breaching coronavirus protocols and providing false statements

Players including former England captain Chris Robshaw were seen breaking coronavirus protocols that resulted in the match against Eddie Jones’s side last weekend being cancelled at short notice

13 Barbarians players have been charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game (Action Images via Reuters)

Thirteen Barbarians players have been charged by the Rugby Football Union for breaching coronavirus protocols and providing false statements during the subsequent investigation, following last weekend’s cancelled game against England.

The RFU has declined to name the players until after the hearings have taken place due to “the pressure public scrutiny is placing on them”, with a number appearing in a video that appeared on social media showing them drinking in a London pub.

However, no date has currently been set for those hearings to take place.

As the charges fall under the Rule 5.12 that involves conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game, there is no clear framework for how they can be punished, meaning the players involved could receive anything from a fine to a lengthy math ban.

Although the RFU has not named any of the 13 players, former England international Chris Robshaw was among a handful of squad members who issued an apology for leaving the team’s Mayfair hotel last week without permission for a drinking session.  On Saturday footage emerged on Twitter of a large group of Barbarians players, including former England captain Robshaw, drinking at the Running Horse pub in Mayfair. Robshaw, Maitland, Jackson Wray, Joel Kpoku, Fergus McFadden and Manu Vunipola are among those who appear to be playing a drinking game.

“I want to express my deepest apologies for breaching the Barbarians Covid-19 restrictions by leaving the hotel post training with some of my teammates,” said Robshaw, who was due to make his final international appearance in the match against England.

“A huge effort went into conducting this match in a safe fashion and it was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect the players, staff and the public.

“I understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday’s match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen.

"I promise that I will learn from this mistake and ensure something like this never happens again.”

Former England and Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth said: “Embarrassed and beyond gutted to have let (head coach) Vern Cotter and everyone at the Barbarians down as well as the RFU.

"Should not have happened and for that I am truly sorry. I’ve let a lot of people down including myself and wish I’d done it differently. Sorry again.”

Wigglesworth’s former Saracens teammate Jackson Wray said he wanted to “sincerely apologise for my actions”, adding “I’m hugely disappointed in letting the Barbarians down, I am truly devastated that the game has been cancelled due to my actions and I will make sure this never happens again”, while Saracens said they were “extremely disappointed” that several of their players had “fallen well short of the high professional standards that are expected at Saracens.

Confirming the charges on Thursday afternoon, an RFU statement read: “The RFU is bringing charges against 13 Barbarian FC players who will appear before an online Independent Disciplinary Panel chaired by Philip Evans QC charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the Game, contrary to RFU Rule 5.12.

“The players will face a range of charges including:

- Individual breaches of the protocols (e.g. leaving the hotel without permission or without informing organisers of their whereabouts)

- Providing false statements during an investigation

“The RFU recognises the pressure public scrutiny is placing on the players and therefore it will publish players’ names, full judgements and sanctions after the hearings have concluded.

“There is no sanction table applicable to charges brought under Rule 5.12 therefore the Independent Panel can issue a range of sanctions at their discretion including fines and/or match bans and/or any other suitable sanction.”