Ireland’s captain in firing line over trial appearance
WHEN the dust settles in the coming weeks and months, the IRFU are going to face some tough questions.
Ireland’s Six Nations campaign ended with scenes of delirium at Twickenham, but it had a grim beginning.
On the Wednesday before Ireland’s championship opener against France in Paris, Ireland captain Rory Best and Iain Henderson were pictured attending the rape trial of their Ulster and Ireland teammates Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding at Belfast Crown Court. It was the week when the alleged victim entered the witness stand.
Social media was soon ablaze with pictures of Best and Henderson walking through a drizzle on their way to court. The IRFU would have to deal with a downpour in the coming days.
There were many questions that needed to be answered. Why was the Ireland captain attending a rape trial four days out from the biggest game of the season? Did the IRFU gave them permission? Was Joe Schmidt aware of his captain’s movements?
It made for an unpleasant week for the Ireland team and media alike. The first question at Carton House was whether the pair had the IRFU’s permission to attend the trial. ‘I’ve got no comment on any of that,’ Schmidt replied.
Ireland’s head coach was pressed again for comment but he remained steadfast: ‘We’re not in a position to comment on any of that. It’s a legal matter.’
The pressure would increase the following day at the Stade de France with Best set to face the media following Ireland’s captain’s run. Asked to explain his attendance at the trial, Best stated: ‘No, I have no comment.’
Then came kick-off in Paris and Johnny Sexton’s last-gasp matchwinning drop goal. There were wild celebrations on the pitch and Ireland were off to a dream start. But an unpleasant undercurrent remained.
Best, Schmidt and the IRFU had not been forthcoming in providing any explanation or context around the events in Belfast earlier in the week, but that stance changed in the post-match press conference.
Following Ireland’s win over the French, Schmidt and Best took their seats in the giant auditorium underneath the stadium. Before the revelry of a famous win, it was down to business. Best was once again asked if he had the IRFU’s permission to attend the trial.
‘We sign out on Tuesday night, Wednesday is our day off, so technically we don’t need permission to do stuff on our own time,’ the 35-year-old explained.
‘The reason I was there, it’s on the record I’ve been called as a character witness. I was advised it was important to attend, so I got both sides of the story.’
People may argue whether Best was right or wrong to attend the trial on that fateful day. Indeed, Judge Patricia Smyth, who presided over the case, told the jury that ‘the only reason he was in court was because he was directed to be here by senior counsel’.
But it was still a huge lapse in judgement. It dragged the Ireland squad into controversy in the week leading up to a huge Test. Trust is a key element of any relationship, be it personal or business, and that was broken by Best.
The IRFU certainly believed so at the time but the issue seems to be resolved considering that Best recently signed a one-year extension to his central contract which will take him through to next year’s World Cup in Japan.
There is no doubting Best’s character or his ability on the rugby field. A family man and a hugelypopular member of the Irish squad. He led Ireland to an historic win against the All Blacks in Chicago. He has led his country to Grand Slam glory and to second place in the world rankings.
His value to this Ireland squad is unquestionable, but his judgement should face further scrutiny. There will be more tough questions to come.