After a torrid summer the game is determined to fix its image, writes Paul Rees in the Guardian.
"Professional club rugby in England has never known such a summer of strife, but neither has it ever been so profitable as it prepares for the start of a new season next week. Never mind stories of drunken parties, punch-ups, cocaine sniffing, simulated mouth wounds and cover-ups, the 12 Premiership clubs can look forward to record receipts in the coming weeks from their umbrella organisation, Premier Rugby.
"The sport usually goes into summer hibernation, rarely commanding media attention after the end of international tours, but for the second year running, lurid tales have replaced the usual lack of interest: when Martin Johnson took over as the England team manager in July 2008, he did so as an investigation was being conducted into unfounded rape allegations made against some of the squad during the tour to New Zealand."
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