Bristol Rugby to face no action after alleged tactical information sharing

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has concluded its investigation after a complaint was made by Sale Sharks. This followed the alleged passing of information to an opposition club.

Sale Sharks alleged that confidential tactical information had been passed by former player Tom Arscott to his brother Luke Arscott, of Bristol Rugby, on New Years Eve 2016.

The two sides played each other the following day with Bristol coming from 15 points behind to win 24-23.

The RFU said that there were suggestions that the information had been passed to coaches and players at Bristol and that it had been used by the club for their own benefit.

It was alleged that this conduct breached RFU Regulation 17. This rule is specifically in relation to anti-corruption and betting.

The RFU received Sale’s letter of complaint on 16 January 2017.

They then interviewed 25 individuals from both clubs and inquiries were made with various betting operators in order to determine whether there had been any breaches of any RFU rules or regulations.

Following the investigation the RFU disclosed their findings:

- Tom Arscott discussed tactical information with his brother Luke Arscott ahead of the match. This information related to Sale using some backs in their lineout on occasion and that another back would be defending in a different position at times.

- The RFU has determined that this information, while at the lower end of the scale of seriousness, falls within the definition of inside information (as per Regulation 17.2).

- But in the absence of any evidence of betting or fixing, there had not been a breach of RFU Regulation 17.

- However, the RFU has deemed that Tom Arscott’s behaviour was inappropriate and the player has received a written warning for his conduct and he will be required to undertake a relevant World Rugby education module.

- Information that was passed from Tom Arscott to Luke Arscott regarding the proposed defensive structure in the Sale backline was provided to two Bristol coaches.

- However, in the absence of any evidence of a suspicion of fixing/betting etc., the RFU has determined that Bristol did not fail to comply with the relevant reporting requirements in relation to the inside information that the club received.

- There was no evidence to demonstrate that Bristol changed any of their game strategy to deal with Sale’s defensive positional changes.

Gerard McEvilly, RFU Head of Discipline said: “In determining what action should be taken following the investigation we have taken into account that Tom Arscott has already paid a heavy price for his conduct in having been dismissed from his employment by Sale Sharks.

“These issues have arisen because of the inappropriate sharing of information while players were socialising in the same hotel before the match."

"Therefore, the RFU is strongly recommending to both clubs that all their players are reminded of their contractual and ethical obligations to their employing clubs and of the problems that may arise should confidential/inside information be passed between individuals."