This one may run and run.
As you’ll probably remember on Monday we brought you the news of Martin Castrogiovanni’s expletive-loaded rant against Leicester and his former boss Richard Cockerill in the aftermath of his new club Toulon facing his old club in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The many entertaining things the Italian said included alledging he paid his way out of the club in 2013, that the transfer was baly handled and that Cockerill was a c***.
Today, in a press conference before the teams meet again at the weekend, Cockerill had his say.
“He has no understanding of what it takes to run a rugby club,” Cockerill told the BBC. “It is not for him to comment.”
“The fee he paid was 100,000 euros, which was reimbursed to him by Toulon.
“We have some very big-hitters on the board. To call them amateurs and to use the language that was used against the club and myself was inappropriate to say the very least, and untrue.
“We’re the most successful English club of all time. It’s a petulant outburst that will no doubt get him in hot water.”
And he also told Sky Sports News:
“He left a year early from his contract. He wasn’t getting picked. He wanted to move on because he was of an age where he wanted to play.
“I put a price on him, he agreed a deal and he moved on. We did it in a very professional manner, as you would expect from Leicester. I was amazed when he called his own press conference… and off he went.
“I’m sure he’ll have his explanation for it. I’m sorry that he has sullied what was a fantastic playing career here. He was an icon of the club and a fans’ favourite.”
Toulon have launched an inquiry and they have apologised to Leicester for the prop’s outburst but we think it is safe to say the game in France at the weekend should still have a certain edge to it
