Danny Cipriani alleges that Owen Farrell and George Ford formed a dominant clique within the England team during the 2015 World Cup, which he characterizes as a "mafia."
Cipriani has also divulged details of a contentious confrontation he had with coach Mike Catt before the tournament in his autobiography, 'Who Am I?'
In another excerpt from the book, published by The Sunday Times, Cipriani reflects on a period in his life a decade ago when he engaged in multiple sexual encounters in a single day, describing it as a form of self-destructive behavior.
“I’m not the sort of bloke who swaggers into a pub or changing room and starts boasting about his latest conquest,” Cipriani says.
“But it’s not exactly a secret I’m putting it about a bit. Thankfully, most of it doesn’t make the papers. When sex is one of the few things in your life that provides relief, you end up trying to find more and more unusual ways to get your hit.
"I’m sleeping with everyone from porn stars to actresses to girls I meet at the coffee shop. Threesomes have become the norm, but I just feel dejected when it’s over.”
“It may sound like every man’s dream, but the art of life is finding the right balance,” Cipriani added.
“And in that respect, sex is no different to food or drink. While it’s fine to like food and drink, if you like them too much, they can make you deeply unhappy and destroy your life. Sex for me has become a form of self-harm.”
Cipriani on England clique
“Everyone knows there’s a clique of players which helps run the team: Owen [Farrell], George Ford, Chris Robshaw, Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, a couple of others,” writes Cipriani.
“They’re called ‘the leadership group’, but they’re more like the mafia, always appearing to be scheming. Still, I get on fine with most of them. At least I think I do.
“Sam’s (Burgess) in a WhatsApp group with the mafia, until one day, he posts a picture on Instagram of me and him in a coffee shop. A few hours later, George screenshots the picture and messages it to Sam, before removing him from the group. Sam couldn’t care less, but I think, I’m not sure what I’ve done to offend them, but clearly I’m not as welcome as I thought I was.”
Steve Borthwick allows England stars to bring WAGs to France – meet them here
Below, you will find a list of the players' partners, along with additional information about each of them:
#1. Beth Dolling (Marcus Smith)
Beth Dolling, whose Instagram handle is @bethdolling, is presently romantically involved with Marcus Smith, the fly-half for Harlequins.
Their relationship began in 2019, but the details of their initial encounter remain undisclosed. Beth is not only a model but also a singer, having participated in various campaigns for renowned brands like PrettyLittleThing, Missy Empire, and Rebellious.
She is affiliated with M Models in Manchester and Body London, showcasing glimpses of her fashion shoots on her Instagram story.
With 34,000 followers on Instagram, Beth keeps her fans engaged with her captivating content.
#2. Hollie Shearer (Joe Marchant)
Joe Marchant, the talented Harlequins centre, is currently involved in a delightful relationship with musician Hollie Shearer. Their love story has blossomed over the course of a year, and they radiate happiness as a couple.
Hollie is not only Joe's partner but also a gifted singer-songwriter with her music available on Spotify. She has captivated audiences with her soulful performances, including a memorable showcase at The Spice of Life. Hollie's talent and dedication have garnered her a strong following, with 68,000 Instagram followers eagerly keeping up with her artistic journey. For those interested, her Instagram handle is @hollieshearer.
#3. Katie George (Jamie George)
Katie George and Jamie George, the Saracens hooker, are happily married. They tied the knot in 2020 after being in a relationship for six years. At their wedding, Jamie's teammate Elliot Daly had the honor of being his best man. Their enduring bond reflects a deep connection and a shared journey of love and commitment.
#4. Megan Ely (Jack Willis)
Willis, the esteemed Toulouse flanker, is in a committed, long-term relationship with his girlfriend Megan. Together, they share the joy of parenthood as proud parents to their son, Enzo, who was born in December 2021. Recently, in a heartwarming Instagram post, Megan expressed her love for their little bundle of joy.
She shared a collection of adorable photos capturing Enzo's playful and spirited nature, while showering him with heartfelt birthday wishes. Megan emphasized that being the parents of such a charismatic and determined little boy is their most significant accomplishment, emphasizing the immense love they have for him.
#5. Charlotte Youngs (Ben Youngs)
Ben and Charlotte, the latter a Cosmetic Nurse at The Hospital Group, are believed to have connected at a charity event for veteran medical professionals in London. Married in 2015, they're parents to Boris and Billie.
Charlotte expertly manages work, motherhood, and backing her husband, Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Ben Youngs. While Charlotte maintains a low profile, Youngs showers her with praise online. He posted a photo of her running the London Marathon, declaring, "So proud of my superhuman wife."
#6. Michelle Daly (Elliot Daly)
Michelle has her own photography studio called Michelle Sylvia Photography. According to her bio, Michelle is a “Hertfordshire based photographer” who recently graduated from the London School of Photography.
#7. Georgie Farrell (Owen Farrell)
Maintaining a remarkably low profile, Owen and Georgie Farrell lead a private life, even though Owen is recognized as one of England's prominent players.
As the captain of Saracens, Owen has garnered much acclaim, yet both he and Georgie choose to keep their personal lives away from the public eye. In the summer of 2018, they exchanged vows and embarked on their journey as a married couple.
The following year, they welcomed their first child into the world, and in 2021, their family grew further with the arrival of their second child. Together, Owen and Georgie cherish their precious moments as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood.
#8. Olivia Thomas (Jack Walker)
While Olivia leans towards a more private demeanor, Jack takes to his Instagram to regularly bless followers with heartwarming images of their relationship. Among the delightful posts, Jack offers glimpses of their shared experiences with their canine companion. In a 2019 post, Jack captured a picture of Olivia alongside their faithful dog, aptly captioned: "Christmas walks with the queen and Liv."
#9. Chantelle Garrity (Manu Tuilagi)
Tuilagi, the talented Sale Sharks player, shares a beautiful relationship with Chantelle Garrity. They are blessed with two children, forming a loving and close-knit family.
Recently, on Chantelle's birthday, Manu took to Instagram to express his deep affection and appreciation for her. In a heartfelt post, he declared Chantelle as his absolute world and thanked her for the countless ways she enriches their lives.
Manu emphasized the profound love they share as a family and conveyed their heartfelt wishes, underscoring just how cherished Chantelle is to them.
Wow! The serialisation of Cipriani’s book is worth a read.
Full insight into the build up for 2015 with views on the coaches and certain players he considered as “the mafia”.
thetimes.co.uk/article/05a2ae…