Josh Lewsey reveals inside story on infamous Danny Cipriani fight

Wednesday, 08 April 2020 at 15:56

bySteven Smith

Wasps legend Josh Lewsey has revealed the frustration at Wasps which led to him decking team-mate Danny Cipriani in a training ground dust-up.

Back in 2008, Lewsey knocked Cipriani down with a right hook in a row over the fly-half missing tackles during a training drill.

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England rugby star Danny Cipriani is involved in a training ground bust-up with Wasps team-mate Josh Lewsey. http://tinyurl.com/4ckx2v

10:20 AM · Oct 8, 2008

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Lewsey dismissed any suggestion that their contretemps was due to a clash of egos.

"It wasn't a case of personality clashes," he said.

"There are always going to be playing issues from time to time but the beauty of sport, especially rugby, is that they are dealt with straight away and you get on with the job."

Six infamous fights between players on the same side

London Wasps, Danny Cipriani and London Wasps, Josh Lewsey - Photo Mandatory by-line: Jan Kruger/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile: 0797 1270 681 - 05/04/2009 - SPORT - RUGBY - GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP - WASPS V NEWCASTLE - Adams Park

Here are five occasions when things got a little bit too competitive between teammates.

1. Lopeti Timani & Amanaki Mafi, 2018

An image of Lopeti Timani with two swollen eyes has revealed the extent of his fight with Rebels teammate Amanaki Mafi in Dunedin. Mafi and Timani fought after the side's season-ending loss against the Highlanders.

2. Danny Cipriani & Josh Lewsey, 2008

Cipriani was baited by Lewsey for not putting enough effort in. Reports claim Cipriani then retaliated by telling Lewsey to "shut up or be shut up". Next thing the 20-year-old knew he was lying on his back staring up at the sky with a fat lip.

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3. Paul O'Connell & Ryan Caldwell, 2007

O'Connell lost his nerve with the Ulster second-row in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup. The Munster legend threw a punch and he went down, unconscious with a tooth bursting his cheek. Caldwell swallowed a lot of blood and an ambulance had to rush him to the hospital. The team doctor later told O'Connell: "The story is, you nearly killed him.”

The Ireland legend, who would often involved in training ground scraps, would never be involved in another after he learned from this incident that a single punch could hurt someone badly.

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4. Brian O'Driscoll & Austin Healey, 2001

When England's Austin Healy began poking fun at a swollen and bruised Ronan O'Gara during the Lions tour, a young Brian O'Driscoll snapped and beat the lard out of him.

Here is Legend Keith Wood's version of events.

"Austin came in and he was being an unbelievable pain in the a**e. I mean beyond all belief. He was touching ROG's face and saying 'c'mom Rog, let's have a little boxing match.,, c'mon c'mon'.

"ROG just said 'p**s off, just leave me alone, get away from me' and then suddenly this little voice peeps in... 'I'll have a bit of that,' says Drico and they put on a pair of boxing gloves and Drico beat the living crap out of him.

5. Bismarck du Plessis & Mohamed Haouas

Footage of the scrap between du Plessis, the former South Africa hooker, and prop Haouas was caught by French broadcaster Canal+ – watch it here:

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Le choc de la 20ème journée de @top14rugby tient ses promesses dès l'échauffement ! Séquence étonnante: deux joueurs du @MHR_officiel échangent des coups de poings et doivent être séparés par leurs coéquipiers. Un sommet qui promet d'être chaud bouillant !