RFU ban destroyed Pilgrim's progress
The Rugby Paper|July 12, 2020
In their final rage at the dying of the amateur light, the RFU did something which provoked angry questions in both Houses of Parliament.
PETER JACKSON
RFU ban destroyed Pilgrim's progress

They banned Steve Pilgrim for life. Far from getting even remotely close to fitting the crime, the punishment appears more outrageous with the passing of almost every week.

A domestic professional game wracked by all manner of rows over all manner of issues from broken contracts to salary cap skullduggery makes Pilgrim’s treatment all the harder to understand.

He has long considered himself a victim of injustice, with good reason. Early in 1993, the Wasps full-back had a trial for Leeds Rhinos’ Seconds against Wakefield Trinity Reserves under a thin cloak of anonymity, perhaps not the smartest move given his rising profile as part of England’s extended squad for the World Cup two years later.

As soon as the A N Other had been unmasked, the RFU reached for their black cap and declared Pilgrim persona non grata in Rugby Union for the rest of his days. “I played the game on Tuesday night,’’ he says. “On Wednesday I found out from the Press that they’d banned me for life.’’

The summary nature of his ex-communication, without being offered the chance to say a word in mitigation, left one of England’s brightest uncapped players sorely tempted to put as much distance between himself and Twickenham.

Indeed, Pilgrim can be found about as far from HQ as the planet allows, at a place called Red Beach on the Whangaparoa Peninsula north of Auckland. He relocated there not for any loathing of the RFU but for the love of a New Zealand woman, Sheree, now his wife and mother of his two teenaged daughters.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 12, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 12, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
England show who's No.1
The Rugby Paper

England show who's No.1

ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.

time-read
1 min  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
The Rugby Paper

Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it

THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
The Rugby Paper

Looking to go one step beyond this time around

NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
The Rugby Paper

Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin

ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
The Rugby Paper

Time for Borthwick to prove his worth

HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
The Rugby Paper

Barrington ready to power up the Mob

RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington keen to build identity
The Rugby Paper

Skivington keen to build identity

GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Roebuck targets England success
The Rugby Paper

Roebuck targets England success

WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
The Rugby Paper

Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving

TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 15, 2024
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
The Rugby Paper

Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals

DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 15, 2024