Bath’s crazy flag ban a victory for killjoys
BATH’S hierarchy seem intent on turning the club into a laughing stock and they were at it again on Saturday with the preposterous decision to ban Leinster flags from The Rec. Of course, a few intreprid Blues supporters — among a visiting contingent of 1,500 — managed to beat the crackdown, but the fact that there was one at all was childish in the extreme. Officially, it was explained as a ‘health and safety’ decision, because the Leinster flags had failed three different types of test, to assess whether they were fit to cross the threshold. Nonsense. If that is the rationale, then where does it end? Will all spectators be forced to submit to random spot-checks of their attire? What if their water-proof coat proves to be especially vulnerable when exposed to a naked flame? Who knows if the thermal hats and scarves needed to ward off the cold — in a ground without a roof in several places — might be flammable too. Naturally, the thousands of Bath flags laid out by the club were all deemed to have passed the tests. Granted, this was a venue which witnessed a fire in a catering van behind one of the stands at the start of this season, but the response does not appear even-handed. It would have been better if Bath had stated their right to allow whatever and whoever they pleased to come into their arena. At least they could have stuck to their guns — and their right to reinforce home advantage in any way they see fit. That in turn would have raised interesting questions about where the boundaries of such an advantage should lie. Rugby is an emotional sport where majority backing from the crowd can make a telling impact, especially late on in tight games. In recent years, away fans have become more organised and efficient in making their presence felt, to the point where clubs and unions may be considering ever more outlandish ways of nullifying their noise and colour. But rugby needs as much of that noise and colour as it can get. There are countless occasions — not least in English grounds — when there would be a total absence of atmosphere without a hardy band of travelling supporters. When the hosts fill 80-90 per cent of the stands, a cluster of unfamiliar flags aren’t going to change the balance of power off the pitch. Just leave them to it and concentrate on the more pressing battle on the pitch.