/ 5 December 2007

Bristol punish Regan for his Barbarians choice

England World Cup hooker Mark Regan has been sanctioned by Bristol for disobeying orders and playing for the Barbarians against South Africa at Twickenham last weekend, the club said on Tuesday.

”We had a meeting with Mark today and, as a result, he has been sanctioned in accordance with a breach of the disciplinary conditions of his contract,” Bristol said on their website.

”We now consider the matter closed and will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

The club did not reveal details of Regan’s punishment.

English Premiership side Bristol told Regan not to play for the Barbarians, despite not needing him for a domestic cup match last weekend, but to rest for their European Cup match against Harlequins on December 8.

Regan, who was in the England side that lost the World Cup final to South Africa in Paris in October, disobeyed his club and captained the invitation side to a thrilling 22-5 victory over the world champions.

The Barbarians were largely made up of southern hemisphere players as other Premiership players bowed to their clubs’ wishes not to take part. – Reuters