We did not hear from the real Tiger because his script - questions forbidden - had no doubt been meticulously constructed with the advice of a squadron of PR advisers, consultants, lawyers and personal managers. They did a decent job. As a lesson in celebrity mea culpa it was almost flawless. The marketing men who the broadcast networks cut to instantly for reaction could barely conceal their joy.

Position perfect, pitch perfect, it was like one of his stunningly executed 300-yard drives. All that was missing was some buffoon behind the tee shouting 'get in the hole' as it took flight.

'For many of you, especially my friends, my behaviour has been a personal disappointment,' he said. But has it? Frankly, if you are the type of guy who bangs cocktail waitresses two at a time, your friends - and I mean your real friends - will know.

The ones who would have been shocked are the guys who invested in the brand, but did not know the man. They were the ones in the room receiving the sincerest apology. It was, all agreed, an uncomfortable but necessary and ultimately rewarding day for Brand Tiger.

Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani confirmed his move away from English rugby on Friday, and he did so against a backdrop of mourners for the state of the national game. “We don’t encourage flair” is the general opinion, but Mick Cleary of the Telegraph does not buy into that theory. Like a block of butter that has been left in warm conditions for too long, Cipriani lacks substance in Cleary’s eyes...

Taking responsibility defines sportsmen. Ability is but one piece of the jigsaw. Cipriani has helped waste his own talent, not seen it cravenly ignored. He has been too ready to feel spurned, rather than looking within to cure his own character faults.

He is a good lad in some regards but when it has come to knuckling down, to playing wholly for the team and not for himself, he's been found wanting. If it were simply a matter of Martin Johnson putting a comforting arm around the shoulder of a wayward youngster, then even the beetle-browed one would have done it long ago.

Some say his departure is an indictment of English rugby, confirmation that Johnson and his Anglo-Saxon ilk are unreceptive to mavericks, uncomfortable with non-conformists. I used to think that was the case. But there are simply too many stories of Cipriani's ill-considered ways for blame to be deflected on to others.

Being knocked flat on the training field by Josh Lewsey did not involve a one-off moment of hot-headedness. It had been a slow build to that point. Only a fortnight ago Cipriani scored poorly for his off-field contribution to the cause of the England Saxons. There are tales of wanting to do things his own way. The musketeer mentality of one-for-all did not always much appeal.

News of his departure brought with it a deflating feeling, a sense of opportunity spurned, of Cipriani picking up his ball in high dudgeon and going elsewhere. See, there's life beyond, an appreciative audience elsewhere. Perhaps. Spurs have to be earned, team-mates genuinely impressed.

There is blame to be dispensed on both sides but the simple fact of the matter is that Cipriani has not stayed to fight. He could have, others would have, and while the casual spectator who was thrilled by his full-debut performance against Ireland two years ago may regard his self-inflicted exile with dismay, not everyone will.