Ollie Thorley backs England to rise above Saracens saga in Six Nations

Ollie Thorley is confident that the fallout from the Saracens scandal will not affect England’s Six Nations campaign after the squad quickly addressed the issue following their arrival in Portugal for a week-long training camp.

“We had a casual get-together when we first met and got together today for the first time as a group when we had conversations,” said the uncapped Gloucester wing. “The Saracens thing was touched on a little bit: the players said they were here to play for England and everyone respected that.

“When they are here they are England players and that is all that matters. They are exceptionally professional people, some of the best rugby players in the world, and there is no difference in their attitude from the other times I have been with the England squad.”

Thorley said that the first act of the England head coach, Eddie Jones, in Portugal had been to mention the World Cup and warn players of the lessons of history, which showed that the runners-up in the tournament tended to dip in the following year and make little impact in the next World Cup.

“Eddie knows we cannot rest on our laurels,” said the 23-year old. “We are having a meeting about the World Cup to make sure we push on from it. It is a new start, enhancing the good things, and having been in the environment before I know more what to expect. Being uncapped, I do not just want to play for England but play well.”

Thorley admires the 19th century British prime minster Benjamin Disraeli and quotes Matthew Syed’s book Rebel Ideas, which he cites when asked about the impact he feels the new backs coach Simon Amor will have on the squad and the way England attack.

“It is important to have interests beyond the pitch,” he said. “I had a wonderful history teacher at school and became interested in the Victorian era. Disraeli was a quirky character, a bit of a maverick and an underdog who in a rigid society rose to the top.

“Simon addressed the squad today after six years with the Sevens. He has a different way of thinking and Rebel Ideas looks at the principle of having someone from a different perspective coming into an environment that is performing well but you want to get a bit more out of. We are excited to see what he will change. He is a very intellectual man and it is a great opportunity for us.”

Ed Griffiths



Ed Griffiths said he worked as a consultant acting for Middlesex CCC, but no one else. Photograph: Henry Browne/Getty Images

Back in England, Saracens’ new chief executive, Ed Griffiths, has denied working as a cricket agent, following claims he has been reported to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Griffiths has rejected any wrongdoing after reports in a national newspaper that the ECB is investigating a possible conflict of interest over his consultancy role with Middlesex.

The former South Africa Rugby Union adviser has rejoined Saracens to help steer the Premiership club through the salary cap scandal that resulted in them accepting relegation at the end of this season.

“I am not an agent, I have never acted as an agent and I have never received a commission to work as an agent,” Griffiths told the PA news agency.

Griffiths insisted there has been no conflict of interest in his dealings with Middlesex, adding: “I have never received a commission or a payment from a player at all. I have contacted the ECB and spoken to the head of integrity about this.”

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Premiership Rugby’s handling of the Saracens salary cap scandal could be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry. The Conservative MP Damian Collins, who is standing for re-election as chair of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee, has criticised Premiership chiefs for allowing the crisis to unfold and says it is “right to challenge” how they handled it.

“The situation at Saracens has clearly been a problem for a long time,” he said. “Things should never have been allowed to develop in the way they did and it’s right for people to challenge the Premiership as to why it didn’t take more effective action sooner.”

source: theguardian.com