Let-off for Lewsey after he knocks out Cipriani

Lewsey, a former Army officer, criticised Cipriani for missing a couple of tackles and the
20-year-old England No10 responded by telling him to "Shut up or be shut up".

Both players have been spoken to and are expected to face Castres in the Heineken Cup on Sunday with head coach Shaun Edwards defending the decision not to punish Lewsey.

"We don't condone scuffles in training but these things happen," said Edwards. "It's not right but you have to get on with things.

"There was a disagreement and some pushing and shoving and to be honest, it's the sort of thing that normally goes on amongst the forwards.

"This is Heineken Cup week and tensions are a bit higher but the important thing is we do not over-react with emotions running so high. What happened in training is all in the past and we have moved on. There will not be any fines or bans because that's not needed."

The bust-up occurred on the same day the rising star of world rugby signed a multi-million pound boot deal with adidas. Cipriani is also enjoying an increased media profile — he is going out with actress Kelly Brook — but Edwards rejected claims of envy among the squad.

"There is no jealousy in terms of what other players feel about the success Danny is enjoying and he receives exactly the same treatment as anyone else," he said. "He will be told off by the coaches if his training isn't up to scratch and that hasn't happened. He is a dedicated and very professional young man."

Wasps officials insist this is the first occasion in which training ground rivalry has resulted in a player being knocked out but they admit the intensity of the work does lead to occasional outbursts of anger.

A Wasps insider said: "Josh can be a bit prickly about things but you could say the same about Danny. That's probably why they clashed. It was certainly one hell of a punch, because Danny was out cold."

Cipriani and Lewsey will not be giving any interviews this week as the club attempt to focus on the cup match.