Northampton flanker Calum Clark has praised his club and team-mates after making his return to action from a 32-week ban last weekend.
Clark played the entire match during the Saints' 16-12 defeat to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road last weekend and put in a solid performance.
The 23-year-old made his first start since receiving his lengthy suspension for hyper-extending the elbow of Tigers hooker Rob Hawkins during the LV= Cup final in March.
After last weekend's match, against the Tigers, he took to social networking site Twitter to express his gratitude for the support he has received while serving his suspension.
"I have been to some dark places over the last 32 weeks," Clark tweeted.
"A lot of people have had their say. I'm going to take my turn.
"I am ashamed and sorry for what happened. I have taken a long, hard look in the mirror and blame nobody but myself. I have learnt a lot.
"I would like to thank my club, who stood by me, and my team-mates, who have had to carry me for such a long time.
"Today (Saturday) couldn't have been much tougher a challenge. Once in a lifetime. We did our best and lost.
"Thanks."
Despite his team's loss Saints boss Jim Mallinder was full of praise for Clark's efforts.
"I thought he was outstanding," he told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.
"To come back and play 80 minutes in such an intensive game as that was good.
"We've got no doubts about Calum in terms of where he is. He's one of our leaders. We've missed him and we're glad he's back."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
I was outraged at the time as well. I recall that there was a day or so where it almost looked like he may not be cited and I was furious. What I'll say now though is that the ball is in his court and its up to him to get his rugby career back on track. You gotta give people a shot at getting their lives back on track.
Clarke had modelled himself as a tough guy enforcer and he took it way too far. It will be good to see him leave the posturing in past as just get on with his day job in a professional manner. It's all up to him now and we'll all call it the way we see it.
Posted 11:58 07th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
I would like to think he has sincerely apologised to Hawkins. That's something between them. We would criticise if he apologised in the media.
Posted 22:05 06th November 2012
Danatthecorner says...
Blind prejudice against whom? Against someone who wilfully broke someone else's arm? Nobody made him do it.
Posted 20:20 06th November 2012
Frazermackie says...
A small mention for Rob Hawkins would have been good to hear. 'I've been in some dark places over the last 32 weeks'! Poor you. I'm sure getting paid took took the edge off somewhat.
Posted 19:45 06th November 2012
bullitt says...
Dan - Hawkins has been playing for Tigers reserves for a while and broke his thumb in September. That's why the other mindless thug Tom Youngs has been getting games.
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-hooker-Rob-Hawkins-rocked-injury/story-17004527-detail/story.html
Don't let a bit of blind prejudice cloud your judgement though.
Posted 13:59 06th November 2012
Danatthecorner says...
@rugby_rockstar That is admirable of you to take that view, but with all due respect you weren't the victim of the foul play.
Rob Hawkins still isn't back playing and who knows if he will ever be the same player, from what was an unprovoked assault when he couldn't defend himself. I'm all for giving someone a second chance when they show some genuine contrition for their actions but this doesn't appear to be the case here. He's sorry he got caught, sorry he shamed his club, but nowhere does he even mention the player that he injured.
I'm sorry but it'll take a little more than him recounting "Calum Clark - My Struggle" over twitter before he regains any respect from most people.
Posted 11:01 06th November 2012
Bullitt says...
Well said rugby_rockstar.
Posted 20:43 05th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
A line has been drawn under the whole episode. Now let's see Callum Clarke play some rugby. I'm sure other Leicester fans like me feel the same way.
funny thing is that last saturday's match was so dull that old timers like me wouldn't have minded a bit of old school "how's yer father". Its all about taking it to that edge but not going over it. Nobody wants anyone to be seriously hurt, do we. At the same time a certain incident in 1989 of one scrum half stepping on another scrum half's foot has become a rich seem of Lions history. Part of the colour that makes this sport so exciting and legendary. It's a contradiction. We love the old war horse tales but there has to be some honour amongst thieves as well. Callum went over the line. The media were lasciviously building up the "Grudge Match" all week long though. Hell, we're human. We drop the ball from time to time.
Posted 17:16 05th November 2012