Cockerill warned over future conduct
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill will be allowed to coach his side in Saturday's Guinness Premiership final against Saracens after avoiding disciplinary action.
The Rugby Football Union launched an investigation into Cockerill's conduct during Leicester's semi-final win over Bath after he was seen to "vent his frustration on the wall of the coaches box".
Cockerill's opposite number, Saracens boss Brendan Venter, is already banned from attending the Twickenham final for making inappropriate gestures and comments to supporters during a league game at Leicester but RFU disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett decided a letter warning Cockerill about his future conduct was a sufficient response in this case.
Blackett said: "Rugby is a game of passion and emotion and all participants are entitled to express those emotions provided they are not abusive to others or bring the game into disrepute.
"However, as the game increases in profile and popularity the conduct of those in the public eye comes under ever closer scrutiny and it is important those role models set an example for the younger generation to follow. I have advised Richard Cockerill to remember this in future.
"Inevitably, given the timing, comparison will be drawn with the Brendan Venter case but in my mind they are materially different.
"Brendan Venter's actions were sustained and designed to provoke others in a manner which may have led to a serious disturbance in the crowd and that is not acceptable.
"Richard Cockerill's outburst was instantaneous and not directed at any third party, and so, while still not behaviour I would expect from someone in his position it was different in scale and intent."
