Former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward has rejected claims that his 2003 side cheated during their Rugby World Cup success.
In a document, uncovered by a documentary on talkSPORT, Former Harlequins and current Newcastle boss Dean Richards said: “The use of fake blood, cutting players, re-opening wounds, feigning injury in the front row, jabbing players with anaesthetic all occur regularly throughout the game.”
Richard’s first made his assertion in a confidential meeting with the Rugby Football Union at the time of the Bloodgate crisis 10 years ago.
Richards’ observation noted: “Rugby World Cup 2003. England used faked blood to manage replacements.”
When asked how he knew, Richards indicated he was informed by a person in the England squad.
Woodward, writing in Mail Online, has refuted the claims that his 2003 heroes were involved in a similar practice.
“We won every match in Australia. Why would we want to cheat? This is simply not true.
“I am not sure why Dean raised this. I have never been involved in anything like this. It is ridiculous.”
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Joe Marler ranks the three hardest rugby players who ever lived
Joe Marler has been discussing some rugby hard-men – with the legendary England number 8 featuring in third.
#3. Dean Richards
Marler said: “Richards was Director of Rugby at Harlequins, but he wasn’t just that. He was also a proper hard man and legendary drinker from the amateur age of rugby.”
