Edwards plays down Wasps training ground bust-up

WASPS head coach Shaun Edwards insisted the bust-up between Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey was nothing out of the ordinary and declared: “We always have a fight in Heineken Cup week.”

The two England internationals came to blows on the training ground after Lewsey had criticised Cipriani for missing tackles during a defensive drill.

Cipriani, 20, arrived at training yesterday with a cut just above his lip but director of rugby Ian McGeechan confirmed neither player will face disciplinary action.

Edwards said he would be more concerned if their squad was not showing that kind of fighting spirit as Wasps aim to get their season back on track after five defeats in six games.

They have since cranked up the intensity of their training as they head into European action against Castres on Sunday.

“There is always a fight in Heineken Cup week,” Edwards said.

“We don’t condone punching, particularly in a game because you get sent off for it, but sometimes in training emotions run a little bit wild.

“We encourage emotion. Rugby is an emotional game and the Heineken Cup is one of the most emotional competitions in world rugby. When it is Heineken Cup week there is an extra edge in training.”

The fact a routine training-ground incident became front-page news indicates how Cipriani’s profile has grown beyond rugby, partly due to his relationship with the model and television presenter Kelly Brook.

Cipriani, who has high-end sponsorship deals with adidas and Armani, has become a regular target for the paparazzi. He was snapped yesterday leaving Brook’s house en route to the training ground.

But Edwards played down suggestions that Cipriani’s profile was causing a distraction or jealousy within the squad.

“Danny is treated the same here as everybody else,” said Edwards.

Cipriani is set to make his second appearance for Wasps at the weekend after returning from a gruesome fracture dislocation to his ankle.

He made his comeback in the 27-23 Premiership defeat to Bath a week ago, when Wasps’ famed defence came off second best.

Earlier this week Cipriani explained how a few choice words from Edwards had hit home and that Wasps would step up their intensity for the Castres clash.

“We will be more aggressive, we will run harder and we will have that edge that we lacked. It is about time we stand up and make our fans proud,” he said.