Priestland abuse shows rugby’s soul is in danger

RHYS PRIESTLAND appears to have decided that fighting for his Wales career isn’t worth all the grief. Given the extent of it, who can really blame him?

The Scarlets fly-half is off to Bath at the end of the season, having had to endure a torrent of abuse during recent times in relation to his Test exploits. Sadly, the sort of vitriol aimed at the talented and decent 27-year-old reflects a creeping curse in the game.

Rugby’s core values, as outlined by the world governing body, are under threat. More precisely, two of them, ‘respect’ and ‘solidarity’, are being endangered by a third, ‘passion’, in its most skewed forms.

The bile hurled Priestland’s way is just one of many recent examples.

At around the time the stand-off was under siege, england hooker Dylan Hartley suffered a deluge of abuse on Twitter after he was harshly sin-binned against South Africa. He revealed several messages to shine a light on the issue and later insisted that bullying is still bullying, even if the target is a robust, front-row forward.

Weeks earlier, officials at the RFU were forced to launch an investigation after Welsh referee nigel Owens was subjected to homophobic abuse at Twickenham. Two spectators were later banned from the venue. Meanwhile, the use of foul language aimed at officials or the visitors has become a feature of the big-match experience at Thomond Park in Limerick. Once again, the desire to convey passion has been given a toxic twist.

Yesterday, former england full back Delon Armitage appealed against a ban for abusing Leicester supporters, partly on the grounds that he was also the victim of unsavoury abuse at Welford Road.

At northampton, a steward is now stationed between visiting coaches and home fans, as a result of ugly exchanges. elsewhere, screens have been erected to muffle expletiveladen rants.

This is not a sudden, new phenomenon. Last season, Wales captain Sam Warburton was savaged on social media after signing a central contract, while Gloucester had to stage an inquest after crowd unrest at Kingsholm. But the trend is becoming more pronounced.

Rugby must carefully guard its values and its soul, but all is not yet lost. A week ago at northampton, as home no 10 Stephen Myler lined up a goal-kick, his half-back partner Lee Dickson shouted instructions to other team- mates and was subjected to tongue- in- cheek heckling from the stands for breaking the silence.

That’s the spirit of the game in a nutshell, and it must be preserved.