After a BT Sport documentary, which aired on Friday, showed Leicester Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill breach league rules, the Tigers could be set to face action from Premier Rugby.
According to Sam Peters from the Mail on Sunday, Leicester published misleading team information on the weekend of the 9th of January, the date when England international Manu Tuilagi made his long-awaited return to the domestic game after a 15-month lay-off.
Tuilagi played against Northampton, following his recovery from a groin problem, but he wasn’t named in the Leicester side until minutes before the game kicked off.
According to league rules, clubs must name their 23-man squads by noon, the day before each game. In addition, any late changes due to injury must come with a full explanation.
However, Tuilagi replaced Vereneki Goneva last month, with no explanation given by the club.
Although last-minute changes are not rare, as injuries suffered in warm-ups are part and parcel of the game, it appears that this particular incident was not actually brought about by an injury to Goneva.
‘XV’, a documentary that showed Leicester’s behind-the-scenes preparations before the Northampton game, revealed that Tuilagi’s return to action was pre-planned, before the deadline for squad publication.
On camera, Cockerill clearly set out his plan to break Premier Rugby rules.
“Because of the circus around Manu we’re going to announce him out of the squad to start with and then in the squad an hour before kick-off,” he told his squad, in spite of the potential ramifications.
A Premier Rugby spokesperson has made a short statement on the incident, which could result in a fine for the club.
“We will consider the evidence at the earliest opportunity and decide whether further inquiries are required.”
