An Exeter player has been banned from driving for a year and fined after what he described in court as “a massive lapse in judgement”.
Will Goodrick-Clarke, who hasn’t played for the Chiefs since a start in the March 23 Gallagher Premiership loss at Bristol, was stopped in April by a routine police patrol when driving a BMW in the Westclyst area of Exeter.
‘This was the first time I had spoken to police’
The 29-year-old, who had no previous convictions, was banned for 12 months and fined £569 for drink-driving.
A report on the BBC read: “The prosecution said the Gloucestershire-born player had been compliant with police but failed a roadside breath test, blowing 40mg of alcohol – the legal limit is 35mg – and was arrested.
“Magistrates heard that he had been having some issues at the time and had been ‘off work for two weeks or longer’.”
Speaking at the hearing, Goodrick-Clarke said: “It was a massive lapse in judgement. I have never been in trouble before and this was the first time I had spoken to police.”
The front-rower has made just six starts in his 16 Premiership, Champions Cup and Premiership Cup appearances this season.
He signed for Exeter last summer, having spent the 2023/24 season with Ealing Trailfinders in the Championship following the collapse of London Irish.
The loosehead was previously an England training squad pick under Eddie Jones, playing in the uncapped 2022 match versus the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Exeter Chiefs have yet to comment on the incident or whether the player will be available for selection for the club’s final Premiership match of the season against Harlequins on Sunday.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/massive-lapse-in-judgement-results-in-driving-ban-and-fine-for-premiership-prop-report
