IN A CAMPAIGN that has been dogged by controversy, it is almost fitting that England’s World Cup has ended in such a fashion.
Manu Tuilagi is the latest player to come under fire, after he was fined £3,000 for diving off a ferry while being egged on by teammates.
The Samoan-born centre was held by police for approximately an hour after he jumped off the ferry as it was about to berth following their loss to France on Saturday.
The RFU subsequently released a statement in which the 20-year-old apologised for his behaviour, saying:
“I’m really sorry. It was a silly thing to do and I apologise to everybody for any inconvenience caused.”
England rugby officials refused to say whether Tuilagi was drunk at the time of the incident.
It is the latest in a series of controversies – also encompassing dwarf-throwing and harassment of hotel staff – that have undermined the team’s on-field activities.