Martin Castrogiovanni has been ordered to pay €10,000 (£8,000) to a charity in Leicester and handed a suspended four-match ban for his expletive-laden rant against Richard Cockerill after Toulon’s European Champions’ Cup defeat at Welford Road this month.
The Italian prop was angry at suggestions he had left Leicester in the summer of 2013 for the money and called his own post-game press conference to give his colourful version of the story. An independent disciplinary hearing instigated by European Professional Club Rugby, chaired by England’s Antony Davies, found Castrogiovanni guilty of misconduct and described his comments as “utterly indefensible”.
The player has been told he must donate his fine to a Leicester charity and will be banned for four matches in the event of another off-field misconduct complaint being successfully brought against him before the end of April 2016.
The three-man disciplinary committee, which also included Roger Morris of Wales and Pat Barriscale of Ireland, did accept, however, that the 33-year-old Castrogiovanni’s comments about Leicester being “amateur” were made “in an ironic and questioning manner and therefore did not constitute criticism”. The player’s genuine remorse was also taken into account.
Northampton’s Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes have signed new contracts with the Premiership champions, ending speculation linking them with Montpellier and Bath respectively. The decision of Hartley, the club captain, not to move to France will mean he remains available for England beyond next year’s World Cup. The Saints have also agreed new deals with five other forwards: the flanker Calum Clark, brothers Alex and Ethan Waller, prop Gareth Denman and lock James Craig.
One player who is moving to France, however, is the Wallaby centre Adam Ashley-Cooper who has signed for Bordeaux-Bègles. Ashley-Cooper, 30, has agreed a two-year deal and will move after next year’s World Cup. He has won 104 caps.
Another Australia international, the lock James Horwill, is to join Harlequins after the World Cup on a three-year deal. Horwill, who has played 58 times for Australia, will leave Queensland Reds, the club he captained to a maiden Super Rugby title in 2011. The Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, said: “James is known around the world not only for his uncompromising style of play but also for his strength of character. He will be an asset for us on the field and within the changing room.”
London Welsh, meanwhile, say they are hopeful there will be a fairer deal for promoted clubs after discussions between Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union. The Exiles have yet to win a game this season and hope that promoted teams will soon benefit from, among other things, better funding and a more level competitive playing field.
“Dialogue is ongoing which we are hopeful will result in a more equitable approach to the present funding arrangements and address the issues regarding promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship divisions,” read a club statement.
Delon Armitage also faces a misconduct hearing later on Wednesday for the alleged use of foul and abusive language towards Leicester supporters at Welford Road.