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REPORT: Bath lock Elliott Stooke charged with drink driving
By Ian Cameron
Bath lock Elliott Stooke has been charged with drink driving following a road traffic incident that ultimately led to the revelation that he and two players breached the UK government covid-19 protocols - The Times are reporting.
Stooke and two other players - England centre Jonathan Joseph and Wasps' Gabriel Oghre - were suspended yesterday by the RFU relating to the incident. All three had attended a multi-household gathering at Joseph's house.
Joseph and Stooke also appeared before a Bath Rugby disciplinary panel on Tuesday 2 February, 2021; before Wednesday night's independent hearing staged by the RFU.
There the players pleaded guilty to the charges and each apologised for socialising indoors with members of two different households.
According to Bath Rugby, Stooke drove another person in his car following the same gathering. The Times now report that Stooke then crashed the vehicle, which presumably lead it being revealed that the covid protocols had been broken. No other vehicle was involved in the incident.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed to The Times the 27-year-old was charged with drink driving arising from the incident in the early hours of January 24. According to The Times, he is set to appear at Bath magistrates’ court on February 17.
Bath Rugby reported the incident to the RFU and "kept the RFU updated through the investigation and disciplinary process."
The club did not mention the drink driving charge in their public statement released last night on the matter.
Stooke was called into the England Six Nations squad in 2019 but is yet to be capped.
Meanwhile, Wasps said on the matter: "Wasps are aware of a breach of Covid-19 regulations by one of our players, Gabriel Oghre. The club were extremely disappointed to learn of this incident, particularly as we regularly remind all players and staff about the latest protocols and their responsibility to set an example by adhering to them.
"A club investigation has already taken place and this matter has been dealt with internally."
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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