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A rugby club has shocked the local press by declaring its players a no-go area for journalists.

The Bristol Evening Post has picked up a memo from Bristol Rugby Club which confirms that all the club wants to see printed is “good news”.

It affects local press in the area including the Post, Western Daily Press, Bath Chronicle, and several weekly papers.

The Evening Post ran a front-page story headlined Field of Dreams, with a strapline explaining: “Sorry folks, we’d like you to know what the players at Bristol Shoguns really think, but they are only allowed to tell us the nice bits”.

The memo says players must not say anything to reporters unless there is good news, which the paper claims will deny real behind-the-scenes stories from the club.

Future communication has to go through the press officer and even the club sponsors Mitsubishi – whose deal gives the club its new name – fear the memo may have overstepped the mark.

Press manager for the motors company David Miles said: “Anything that would restrict the amount of coverage we get in the newspaper is not music to our ears.”

The memo says: “Only people authorised by the managing director should speak about general club matters. If you can’t be upbeat or positive, don’t say anything.”

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