Edinburgh boss blames Celtic fans for defeat
The Gunners crashed to 50-17 defeat by Toulouse in France on Saturday after arriving at 2am on the same day.
The team was delayed by 10 hours after a new flight crew had to be located following the disturbances on board a plane carrying Celtic fans back from the UEFA Cup win over Celta Vigo.
That plane made an unscheduled landing in Cardiff, delaying the Gunners' departure as the flight crew were over their working hours limit.
"A big part of our hassles was the direct result of misbehaviour of Celtic fans heading home from their win against Celta Vigo in Spain," Rankin said.
"The pilots and crew of the plane that was forced to make an unscheduled touchdown at Cardiff because of the trouble on board were the ones who were meant to be flying us to France.
"But their broken journey meant that they had reached their working hours limit. British Airways had to find another crew to take us."
Gloucester centre Robert Todd has been taken to hospital in the Midlands after collapsing twice in France.
The 31-year-old played the full 80 minutes against Perpignan in Gloucester's Heineken Cup 31-23 defeat on Saturday and took part in a light training session before the team's departure yesterday.
However, Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Melville said Todd fainted twice during the session. He was given oxygen and, on arrival at Birmingham airport, he was taken off on a stretcher and admitted to Solihull Hospital with a suspected viral infection.
Meanwhile Clive Woodward has no intention of getting carried away with England's clean sweep in the November internationals where they beat New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Woodward, who called his squad to the match headquarters at Surrey's Pennyhill Park Hotel today for their last get-together of 2002, now has his sights firmly fixed on the Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham on February 15.
"We're in a good position but everyone's feet are firmly on the floor," he said. "France are the European champions and Australia are the world champions. England are doing well we're head of the Zurich world rankings but that's not anywhere near as important as being Grand Slam champions or world champions.
"You can only put your hand up and say you're the world champions if you've won a World Cup. Australia have done that and I think they will be the team to beat next October."
However, there will be time to relax and reflect on a successful finish to the year tonight when squad members are joined by their partners for a meal and theatre visit in London's West End.
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