Danny Cipriani not sanctioned following RFU hearing

England international Danny Cipriani is set to resume playing after he was not sanctioned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) following an independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old was charged by the England board for 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game' that deals with breach of RFU Rule 5.12 after his involvement in a nightclub assault in Jersey.

The Gloucester fly-half was arrested last week for an altercation with a doorman at the Royal Yacht Hotel in Saint Helier and was already fined £2,000 each by Jersey Magistrates' Court and his Premiership club after he pleaded guilty to common assault and resisting arrest.

The panel chaired by Gareth Graham with Mike Curling and Olly Kohn ruled that the fine handed by both Jersey magistrates and Gloucester were sufficient following a five-hour hearing in Bristol.

“Danny Cipriani is expected to behave in line with the core values of the game which include respect and discipline,” said panel chair Graham.

“Those core values are not empty words or slogans as the panel were reminded during the hearing.

“By his guilty plea before the criminal court, Mr Cipriani accepts that he behaved in a way that, in the panel’s view, fell below the standard of behaviour expected of a rugby player. The panel were supported in reaching that decision by Gloucester Rugby’s own internal disciplinary hearing finding that his behaviour fell below the standard that the club expects.

“Mr Cipriani is a role model and by committing an act of common assault and by resisting arrest, the panel find his actions are prejudicial to the interests of the game.

“The panel took in to account the sanction imposed upon Mr Cipriani by the court and the sanction imposed by Gloucester Rugby and when considering the totality of both, do not impose any further sanction.

“However, the panel do not agree that this is a ‘minor’ incident or ‘trivial’ and whilst they endorse the actions of Gloucester Rugby in fining Mr Cipriani and ordering that he complete 10 hours of work in the community, find that the decision of the RFU to bring a charge under Rule 5.12 was appropriate.”

As a result, Cipriani will now be available for the Cherry and Whites during their pre-season friendly game against Dragons at Kingsholm on Thursday.

Gloucester will kick-off their 2018/19 season of Gallagher Premiership with a clash against Northampton Saints at Kingsholm on 1st September, and here you can find the latest rugby betting odds.