Disadvantaged from the start

HAVING read the Western Mail’s sporting columns since my early teens I have a long perspective. Even as a merchant seaman years ago I managed to get copies with reports of big games sent to me in the days of dear old JBG.

While JBG was not a master of English prose, he at least had a great knowledge of rugby. However, in all the years I’ve read about rugby in this paper I don’t think I’ve ever read such tripe as that in Andy Howell’s comment column on Tuesday.

As an Ospreys supporter I accept this was a game that could well have been won. However, I take exception to his remarks. Rather than yet again seeking to criticise the region, he and his fellow writers might more profitably take a critical look at the factors which disadvantaged the team from the start.

First we had the very last-minute decision of Sky TV to move the Swans/Middlesbrough match to Sunday then the intransigent refusal of European Rugby to allow the Ospreys game to be moved back to Thursday or Friday night.

The Ospreys were thus deprived of the first home quarter-final they’ve achieved, while the Swans then had a day less to recover between two vital fixtures. Yet another example of how fans of any professional team sport are treated with the utmost contempt.

Mr Howell should not underestimate the level of anger over this. There was a sense that playing at the Liberty would have got the team over the line. Not least by putting pressure on a set of utterly inept officials. It apparently cost the Ospreys £70,000 to stage the game in Cardiff and they made a loss on this “home “fixture. All of this is just totally unacceptable.

The Ospreys’ end of season has been undermined by injury. Had just Alun Wyn and Arhip played then an under-powered pack would probably have been competitive enough to win.

As to the game itself there were a whole series of atrocious decisions. Biggar’s try should have been given. Giles’ pass was not forward. The ball wobbled because it came off Danty’s arm. Lakafia was clearly offside for his try while only Arthur C Clark could have deduced that Pyle was not also offside. There was a case for a penalty try when Rasuqe was sent off. We also had another French replacement farce involving Slimani (again) and Burban.

I’ve rarely been so frustrated with the standard of officiating. The match was for all intents and purposes refereed by Sergio Parisse.

The dithering Mr Carly and his assistants helped one of the most cynical sides I’ve seen reduce the game to the walking pace at which they were comfortable. Stade killed the ball at rucks, were continually in front of the off-side line in defence, joined mauls from the side and indulged in “long arm transfers” without penalty.

Finally, I must contest the idea that Munster are “man for man” inferior to the Ospreys. Who are these inferior players, Stander, O’Mahoney, Murray, Earls, Kilcoyne, Taute, Bleyendaal perhaps?

The Irish provincial teams are

almost as old as Irish rugby and are the only fully pro sport teams in Ireland. They are better funded.

The Welsh regions produce fine players, but it’s a long process and they lack the resources needed to bolster squads with the few top NWQ players or specialist coaches needed to compete consistently with the top European clubs. This is another issue that Mr Howells and his colleagues might address. I Seaton Swansea