Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, the compulsive tweeter who also plays rugby for Gloucester and Samoa, would appear to be in trouble again after an outburst against Owen Farrell, the 20-year-old Saracen thought by some to be the next England fly-half.
Farrell and Fuimaono-Sapolu came face to face on Saturday when Saracens took Gloucester's two-year record of being unbeaten at Kingsholm. It was a game spiced by the occasional scrap – the first, involving 21 players came after 14 seconds – before Saracens went ahead for the first time five minutes from the whistle when Farrell fashioned a try for the centre Brad Barritt.
According to sources at Gloucester, there was also an attempt to wind up Fuimaono-Sapolu, who is serving a six-month suspended sentence following his tweeting at the World Cup, when the Samoan retired from rugby before agreeing to 100 hours of community work and completing a refereeing course among conditions for the resumption his career.
On Monday, the 31-year-old lawyer went public again, appearing to threaten the Saracen. He tweeted: "To young rugby players do not be arrogant. If you want to be tough on the field make sure you back it up off it. #farrell
"Love it when players talk big on the field in front of the camera. I like to see if they still talk big off the field when no cameras around. Raised in New Zealand and Samoa, I've never heard that shit before ever. Good luck bro when you tour round my parts.
"What goes on the pitch stays on the pitch?? Don't use the pitch to showcase your FAKE toughness you pussy shit."
After accusing the Welsh referee Nigel Owens and the International Rugby Board of showing bias against Samoa, Fuimaono-Sapolu agreed not to criticise match officials but Twickenham on Monday suggested he was likely to face disciplinary action for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute. The Rugby Football Union confirmed it was looking into the matter. Gloucester made no formal statement, while Saracens said they were aware of the comments but it was a matter for Premier Rugby.
Less than a week after saying they needed extra funds to keep their World Cup stars in Wales, the Newport Gwent Dragons announced that Toby Faletau and Lloyd Burns have signed contract extensions that keep them at the club until 2014.
Faletau, the Wales No8, was one of the surprises of the tournament when he became the first Welsh player to start seven matches in a row. The Dragons had feared they might be priced out of a deal with the 20-year-old, possibly by wealthier French clubs. Faletau confirmed his deal on Monday, saying : "The World Cup was a great experience but I'm really looking forward to getting back to Rodney Parade. I just love to play rugby and I enjoy being at the Dragons."
It has been confirmed that France marginalised their coach, Marc Lièvremont, as they turned around their form to make the World Cup final against New Zealand. The Biarritz No8, Imanol Harinordoquy, said that after defeat by Tonga in the pool stages "we had to free ourselves from his supervision". Lièvremont was "lost", added Harinordoquy. "I will not miss him."
