WRU step up Ponty pitch probe after friction burns shock
THE Welsh Rugby Union has released a statement following a high-level pitch inspection at Sardis Road in the wake of several Merthyr players sustaining friction burns during a Welsh Cup semi-final against RGC 1404 last weekend.
The famous ground, which was known as the ‘House of Pain’ during Pontypridd’s glory days, was installed with an artificial surface for this season.
But an investigation was launched by South Wales Sports Grounds, the company that laid the surface, in the wake of pictures of abrasions uploaded to social media by around seven Merthyr players following the 24-20 defeat to the north Wales region.
Some of the victims needed to be treated with antibiotics and could miss this weekend’s Welsh Premiership derby clash at the Wern with Pontypridd.
The WRU has joined the investigation into what went wrong with Sardis Road, which is due to host three matches during next month’s Under18 international series.
England are scheduled to face Canada before Ireland take on Italy and Wales go head-to-head with Scotland in a triple-header on April 8.
“Representatives from the WRU attended an inspection of the Sardis Road pitch this morning, along with pitch contractors, members of the local council and Pontypridd rugby club officials,” said a union spokesman.
“Further testing will be conducted over the coming days with a second inspection to be undertaken next week, at which time further details should be available concerning the issue and any relevant resolution.
“We will not speculate on the results of these tests and further inspection at this stage, but we know that 3G pitches are an established, proven and successful playing surface widely utilised by rugby union and are therefore hopeful that a solution can be found to the well publicised recent issue at the venue.
“Player welfare is of paramount importance to the WRU and a minimum standard is required for all playing surfaces in all of its competitions.”
If there is found to be an underlying problem the WRU could switch matches in the Under-18 international series to another venue.
A spokesman for South Wales Sports Grounds said it was in contact with Pontypridd RFC and the surface supplier over the matter.
Merthyr coach Lee Jarvis said the pitch issue needed to be addressed urgently in the wake of his side’s second visit to the ground this season.
“It’s a great facility, but if people are going to come away with injuries like that, teams won’t want to go back there,” declared the former Wales outside-half.
“I hope they get it sorted sooner rather than later. We played the first game on it back in September. There were a couple of issues then, but nothing like this.
“There were dry conditions at the weekend; there was no dew and the pitch was firm. Every time you slid on it there was no give on it.”
But Merthyr RFC chairman Peter Morgan distanced his club from the public complaints of its players, who had posted pictures of shocking skin burns caused by the surface at Sardis Road and which had sparked the investigation, and Jarvis by issuing a public apology to Pontypridd.
Back Martyn Thomas initially posted a grim picture of his bloodied knees on social media after the match, urging Ponty to “sort out” their new pitch.
But, in a statement issued on Merthyr’s Facebook page, Morgan said: “To all at Pontypridd RFC, we would like to apologise for all the media comments on the playing surface of Pontypridd.
“Comments have been made by some of our players. These comments are not from the Merthyr RFC committee and are individuals expressing their own views.
“We have played there three times this season with no injuries. This is just a one-off incident.
“It seems that this has been taken completely out of context by the press, and are not the views of our club.”
Jarvis had said, following the clash with RGC, three Merthyr players, including Thomas, may not be fit for Saturday’s derby with Pontypridd.
“Martyn is the biggest concern. Gavin Dacey has a swollen arm and other boys have got burns to their knees and legs.
“All these boys will need antibiotics. They are going to see the doctor.
“The boys were quite shocked when they woke up on Sunday morning to see the marks they were left with. Some of them were almost third degree burns, especially Martyn.
“People have seen the photos. Some of those burns could scar for life.”
RGC team manager Jim Coy said his players hadn’t raised any concerns about the pitch at Sardis in the wake of the cup semi-final with Merthyr.
Pontypridd declined to comment.