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Cipriani's wife issues statement after being doorstepped by media
By Liam Heagney
Bath have endorsed a social media plea from Victoria Cipriani, the wife of Danny, for the media to leave her and the former England international alone after numerous journalists turned up at their house on Wednesday. It was Tuesday evening when reports emerged that an England rugby player - who couldn’t be named for legal reasons - had been arrested by police on Sunday on the suspicion of raping a teenager the day before.
The Sportsmail report read: “The man was arrested, and a 41-year-old woman was also held on suspicion of administering a substance with intent to cause a sexual offence. Both have been released on bail while detectives continue their investigations.”
Not naming the player involved in the matter had an unfortunate consequence for Cipriani and his wife as they found themselves doorstepped on Wednesday by the media and it led to Victoria Cipriani taking to social media to ask that they be left alone.
“A load of journalists have turned up outside my home this morning, causing me great alarm and distress, apparently guessing (wrongly) that the story already in some parts of the press about a rugby player and his partner being arrested on suspicion of sexual offences might relate to Danny and myself,” she wrote.
“I presume they are making that wild guess because I am the same age as the woman is reported to be in the stories about that case. That is completely unwarranted and wholly unacceptable. Neither Danny nor myself have been arrested, nor do we have anything to do with the reported case, whatsoever. We do not know anything about it.
“The press have come to the wrong people and I would ask that they please leave us alone, immediately. This is hugely upsetting for so many reasons. Please share and thanks for taking note of this.” This social media message was then retweeted by Bath Rugby Club, who asked for it to be read and shared so that the Ciprianis could be left in peace.
The story about the unnamed England player emerged on Tuesday evening and included comments from a police spokesperson. “Officers were called shortly before 11am on Sunday, January 9, to a report of a sexual assault on a female. A woman in her late teens was reported to have been sexually assaulted.
“A man was arrested on suspicion of rape and a woman was arrested on suspicion of administering a substance with intent to cause a sexual offence. Both have since been released on bail as enquiries continue and a number of lines of enquiry are being followed up by detectives.”
Sale referenced this 'unnamed England player story' at the start of their Alex Sanderson media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, explaining they were aware of the speculation surrounding them. However, because it was a legal matter, they would not be taking any questions on the matter.
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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