Richard Cockerill fears diving spate in rugby after Blair Cowan punch

Leicester boss unhappy at leniency to London Irish player Cowan escaped censure because his victim went unhurtRugby union faces a potential rise in cynical dives and play-acting unless the directives given to referees and television match officials are re-examined, according to Leicesters director of rugby, Richard Cockerill. The Tigers claim they have been advised by the Rugby Football Union that the punch thrown by London Irishs Blair Cowan last weekend was not worthy of a card partly because Jamie Gibson, the player he struck, was unhurt.Cockerill believes such a precedent may encourage pla…