Video emerges of Sean Maitland and Barbarians playing drinking game on night out

Footage has emerged of a number of Barbarians players including Scotland winger Sean Maitland and former England captain Chris Robshaw drinking alcohol in a London pub.

Sean Maitland during a Barbarians training session at Latymer Upper School playing fields in London. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images for Barbarians

The video that has been circulated on social media is from one of the two nights out that has resulted in the cancellation of Sunday’s annual fixture at Twickenham for a breach of coronavirus protocols.

Maitland, Robshaw, Jackson Wray, Joel Kpoku, Fergus McFadden and Manu Vunipola are among the group who appear to be playing a drinking game at what is believed to be a pub in Mayfair.

A Rugby Football Union investigation into the players’ misconduct is ongoing with a view to bringing disrepute charges against any wrongdoing.

Five players including Robshaw and his former England team-mate Richard Wigglesworth have issued apologies for behaviour that is set to cost the RFU around £1million in lost TV and sponsor revenue.

It comes at a time when the RFU is battling a financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic which has resulted in 140 people being made redundant amid a predicted £60million loss in revenue from autumn and Six Nations matches being played behind closed doors.

England’s World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has described the players’ conduct as “ridiculously stupid”.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend refused to be drawn on whether Maitland’s breach of coronavirus protocols would cost him his place in the squad to play Wales next weekend.

Speaking after the win over Georgia on Friday night, Townsend said: “We won’t select a squad until the rest of the weekend is over. We have players playing at other clubs on Saturday and Sunday so no decision has been made.

“I only heard about the Barbarians just before we boarded the bus to the game so I’ve not had time to digest it but it is obviously a disappointment that a game was called off due to the actions of players. That’s all I can say as I don’t know much about it.”

The game against Wales in Llanelli is Scotland’s final match in the delayed 2020 Six Nations. It would be a major surprise if Maitland was included.

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