Ulster statement way off the mark

CENSORSHIP is never clever. The decision taken by Ulster Rugby to exclude news journalists from a media briefing earlier this week was deeply stupid.

It is not up to Ulster Rugby to decide what is newsworthy, what is and isn’t relevant to the wider public.

Sports teams possess this impulse to try and control, but that Ulster succumbed to it, in the prevailing circumstances, was flabbergasting.

Of course when Rob Herring (pictured) read out a statement on the departures of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding that began, ‘It is with a great deal of sadness that the players and pro staff have learnt of this outcome’, the desire to try and limit coverage became understandable.

Perhaps someone connected with this chaotic outfit realised the idiocy of this statement and the attention it would attract.

These words were shockingly ill-advised, failing to register the extraordinary reaction to the recent court case, and also the general public approval that greeted the decision to terminate the two players’ contracts.

There was some small mercy in the decision of the supporters’ club not to protest the decision at last night’s match against Glasgow.

Sportspeople often talk about operating in a bubble. The one surrounding the Ulster squad must be particularly wellinsulated, if they thought this show of support made good sense.