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'They have been ridiculously stupid': Woodward slams bubble-breaching Barbarians

By PA
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Barbarians)

Clive Woodward has voiced his disbelief at the “stupidity” of a group of Barbarians players for a breach of coronavirus protocols that has placed Sunday’s fixture against England in doubt.

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Seasoned veterans Chris Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth and Sean Maitland were reportedly among a contingent of twelve who left the team hotel in central London on Wednesday night in order to have dinner.

The Barbarians are scrambling to fill the gaps in their squad before a deadline of Friday 3pm set by the Rugby Football Union, who are investigating the breach with a view to summoning any transgressors before an independent disciplinary hearing.

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Dylan Hartley and his crazy Eddie Jones selection story

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Dylan Hartley and his crazy Eddie Jones selection story

Woodward, England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach, was scathing of those Barbarians whose outside contact risked bringing Covid-19 into the hotel bubble. “I’m sure they’re feeling incredibly stupid and incredibly embarrassed. It’s just stupidity, they’ve been ridiculously stupid,” Woodward told talkSport.

“My reaction was just kind of gobsmacked really. These are professional players and they know what is at stake. It’s live on TV, it’s a game that everyone was looking forward to. I can’t believe they have been so naive and stupid to think they can get away with it. 

“People could see them, they are well-known people. I just shake my head in disbelief. I can believe the Barbarians didn’t sit down and spell it out – A, B, C. This is what you can do and this is what you can’t do. Everyone who steps out of this bubble, you’re gone. You’re history.

“It’s called a bubble for that reason. Some of the players went out, some of them didn’t. Some players listened, some haven’t, which makes it even worse in many respects.”

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In their desperation to fulfil the fixture, the invitational club have recruited two players from the second tier of Welsh rugby.

Cardiff RFC have confirmed that full-back Ioan Davies and centre Max Llewellyn, Wales Under-20 internationals who have only a handful of appearances for the Blues between them, have been drafted into the squad for Twickenham. Also included is Blues back row Will Boyde. 

England’s team announcement for a match that is to act as a warm-up for next weekend’s critical Six Nations clash with Italy has been postponed until this afternoon – if the Barbarians succeed in finding enough players. The development comes at a time when the RFU is seeking a Government bailout in response to the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “Rugby is not looking good here, let’s face it,” Woodward said.

“It doesn’t matter what sport, professional sportsmen have to be seen to set an example because you are high-profile, you are in the media and big games are coming up so you have to be setting an example to show that we’re all in this together.

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“Rugby has a real problem in terms of its finances, there’s no doubt there will be high-level negotiations going on with Government over extra funding and you then get this stuck in your face. It doesn’t look good for other people who are chasing funds.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Even the 20/30 cappers did too I reckon.


IDK, I think Jordan has a limited life span in this side unless he can develop more to his game. Like you go on to mention, I think theyres more important things to worry about than the effectiveness of someone's extra strings, or secondary components to their game.


Bash backs are Fosters thing, and to a large part they've made it work. Theyre now one of the best teams in the world.


They boy's trucked it up a bit against Italy in the redzone, and against France, wasn't that effective without the right players probably.


Try and take a look at it this way. Dissapointed Havili and Blackadder were in the side? Havili despite clearly shown that he can't do what the team needs at 12 was kept on for the RWC. Back goes down and he brings in Blackadder who doesn't play. Refuses to drop Christie when he should and look who starts this season. Beauden Barret not playing well enough to keep his 10 jersey but we gotta keep him in the side. Weve only got one 8, we stuff developing another I'll just play Ardie every game.


This years team wasn't burdened overly with injuries but they were in every position Razor might have wanted to try and development, severely limiting options. I'm not defending Razor as there was also plenty of other opportunity to make up for it and he was a little gunshy, but I'm also not going to overly criticise him because he chose cohesion over a black slate.

How long are we going to keep blaming All Black failings on Ian Foster.

I think more and more people are on board with it being time to try alternatives, but then again, how would they have reacted to a loss against Italy? 😉

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