Cockerill fears diving epidemic

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill fears the game may become tainted by diving due to the encouragement offered by misguided sanctions over punching.



Cockerill was angry when London Irish's Blair Cowan escaped a card or citing after striking the face of Jamie Gibson in Saturday's 22-19 victory at Welford Road.



Clarification was sought over the incident from the RFU and Cockerill was surprised to learn that the strength of the punch, as judged by the referee and citing officer, decides what action is taken.



An e-mail from RFU head of discipline Gerard McEvilly and citing of…