Very few subjects are more certain to kick off furious debate and angry recriminations than kick-off times — and rugby has blundered straight back into that territory this week.
The announcement that the next two Six Nations championships will feature Friday-night matches in Cardiff ignited a firestorm of protest.
Those aligned to the broadcasters who call this unwelcome tune simply do not understand the complaints, but they cannot ignore them.
Double-edged sword: An increase in Friday night matches may have a detrimental effect on crowd numbersIn fundamental terms, those who make these decisions are abusing the concept of supply and demand. They are abusing the fervent desire of rugby followers to follow their team, support their country and feel a part of the greatest annual tournament in the world.
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This column is frequently agitated by the sight on match-days — at club grounds or Test stadiums — of referees waiting for clearance from a TV official on the touchline before being allowed to blow the whistle to start the game.
It is a minor detail, but it encapsulates the balance of power which is all wrong; with those filming the action telling the protagonists what to do.
That is a harmless enough aspect, but kick-off times are an altogether more important, emotive issue.
The Six Nations has always stood for more than just the actual fixtures — it is an historic event founded on the principle of a full weekend experience. That tradition is dying due to endless meddling with the schedules.
Sure, Friday nights in Cardiff, especially when Wales face England, provide great theatre, but at a price. Supporters must take time off work, battle against transport chaos on road and rail, and pay extortionate hotel rates — hiked in the knowledge that they are a captive audience.
Sundays are similarly anti-social for paying punters, who would always choose Saturday afternoon as the preferred slot.
Numbers of away fans are dwindling because of this slavish commitment to armchair viewers over those who stump up for expensive tickets and travel costs, so that much of the colour and vibrancy of the event is being lost.
And where will it end — with pay-per-view one day, or even more unhelpful kick-off times to open up emerging ‘markets’ overseas?
The line must be drawn somewhere. It’s not so much about guarding against empty stands, as that is a distant and unlikely prospect. Instead, it is about protecting the cherished soul of the sport.
Jones to stay to loyal to ailing WelshLyn Jones deserves a medal for the work he has put in at London Welsh. The Exiles may be going back down to the Championship, but that outcome in no way reflects on their Welsh head coach, who has made light of a chronic shortage of funding, support structures and preparation time to make his team competitive.
Coach: Lyn Jones (left) has been stubbornly behind the London Welsh side through all their problemsHe responded to defeat and the drop last Sunday in typically stoic fashion, and pledged to carry on ‘serving the club’.
Now that the main financial backer, Kelvin Bryon, is pulling out, there will be an inevitable exodus of players and Welsh are sure to return to playing matches at Old Deer Park. But however limited their budget, the beleaguered Exiles must strive to keep Jones on board. If they do so, there will be hope amid the wreckage.
Ryan right to lead WarriorsGood business No 1 — Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth’s decision to recruit Dean Ryan as director of rugby is a shrewd move.
Richard Hill is one of the game’s good guys but his regime was not delivering the expected progress and top players are leaving.
Ryan is a hard-nosed operator but also one prepared to back youthful promise and freedom of expression. Under his command, the Warriors are bound to make strides.
Experience: Dean Ryan (right) helped out the Scottish national side during the Six NationsGood business No 2 — Newcastle announced yesterday that Saracens flanker Andy Saull will arrive at Kingston Park in the summer, and that represents a shrewd transfer move by Dean Richards.
The 24-year-old is a bona fide, specialist openside whose development has been stalled due to untimely injuries.
He will head north fuelled by a desire to revive his Test ambitions. The Falcons will benefit.
The last wordThe fact that the RaboDirect Pro12 league authorities felt compelled to release a statement clarifying their disciplinary procedures tells a tale about how much criticism they have endured after Paul O’Connell escaped a citing this week.
Somehow, the Ireland lock was not called to attend a hearing for his wild kick to the head of Leinster’s Dave Kearney last Saturday.
Reckless: Leinster's Dave Kerney lies injured on the ground after Paul O'Connell's wild kickCiting commissioner Eddie Walsh decided there was no case to answer as the incident did not warrant a sending-off. Leinster coach Joe Schmidt responded by saying: ‘We’re getting into dangerous territory when that’s our baseline.
‘What we see is an action that has had 90,000 “hits” on YouTube; that mothers of kids that we want to play the game are watching.
‘The citing commissioner has deemed that what happened is acceptable. In 12 years of coaching, I don’t think I’ve seen a contact like that.’
Schmidt’s views are understandable. O’Connell’s intent was to kick the ball, but his recklessness warranted a citing. The suspicion lingers that if he was French or Italian, he would be in hot water.
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