RFU confirms kit man under investigation over shares
Dave Tennison is alleged to have advised players to buy shares in an oil-drilling company
©PA
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed that kit man Dave Tennison is being investigated after he allegedly advised England players to buy shares which subsequently plummeted in value.
Tennison reportedly advised members of England's World Cup squad including Sam Burgess and Danny Care to invest in LGO Energy, an oil-drilling firm.
Reports suggest that as the share price dropped, those players lost a combined total of more than £100,000.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team are understood to have had no knowledge of the alleged advice.
The RFU confirmed that an investigation is now underway.
"The RFU takes the allegations extremely seriously," a spokesman said.
"It is an internal matter and we are taking the appropriate action."
Meanwhile, the review into England's World Cup campaign, where they crashed out at the group stage, continues, led by Ian Ritchie.
He is expected to present his findings to the RFU management board meeting on 17th November.
Wasps forward James Haskell, part of England's World Cup squad, has played down concerns that stock advice - good or bad - played any role in England's on-field performances.
"You add the spice by saying it detracted from our performance but from the moment we got into camp in pre-season to the moment we left, the boys were dedicated to our performance," Haskell told the Daily Mail.
England opened their World Cup campaign by beating Fiji only for subsequent defeats to Wales and Australia to knock them out of the tournament.
They finished with a comprehensive win over Uruguay but became the first hosts to make a group-stage exit.
