ENGLAND RUGBY OFFICIALS have been forced to deny claims relating to a recent injury that Harlequins number eight Nick Easter picked up.
Many people, including The Guardian’s Robert Kitson, speculated that Easter had been hurt while taking part in a 134-metre bungee jump, which had been organised as part of a team bonding session.
The late injury meant James Haskell was forced to start in place of Easter against Georgia, while Thomas Waldrom has been called up to the squad as a precautionary measure.
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However, the England management told the Press Association that the fact that Easter’s injury occurred in conjunction with the team’s bungee jumping excursions was a pure coincidence.
They said that the player only began to feel the strain on Saturday – four days after the squad had gone bungee jumping.
Meanwhile, the team held what has been described as a “brutally honest” meeting to discuss their recent unconvincing form.
Speaking about the meeting, Steve Thompson said:
“We’ve been together a long time and the last thing you want is for things to get comfortable. Sometimes everyone needs to give each other a little boot up the backside and that’s what’s happening.”
James Haskell had previously criticised his teammates, saying under-performing players should be singled out and indicating that the team were not working hard enough.
England reject Nick Easter bungee jumping rumours
ENGLAND RUGBY OFFICIALS have been forced to deny claims relating to a recent injury that Harlequins number eight Nick Easter picked up.
Many people, including The Guardian’s Robert Kitson, speculated that Easter had been hurt while taking part in a 134-metre bungee jump, which had been organised as part of a team bonding session.
The late injury meant James Haskell was forced to start in place of Easter against Georgia, while Thomas Waldrom has been called up to the squad as a precautionary measure.
However, the England management told the Press Association that the fact that Easter’s injury occurred in conjunction with the team’s bungee jumping excursions was a pure coincidence.
They said that the player only began to feel the strain on Saturday – four days after the squad had gone bungee jumping.
Meanwhile, the team held what has been described as a “brutally honest” meeting to discuss their recent unconvincing form.
Speaking about the meeting, Steve Thompson said:
James Haskell had previously criticised his teammates, saying under-performing players should be singled out and indicating that the team were not working hard enough.
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Denial James Haskell Nick Easter Robert Kitson RWC2011 Steve Thompson Thomas Waldrom