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New laws insulting the fans?

It does not need simplification for the purpose of television viewers (this is one of the underlying concepts), in fact it insults you, the viewers, who presumably are not savvy enough to enjoy the complexities of union.

Quotes of the week

This Thursday the International Rugby Board meets to impose a series of experimental laws on the world game.

Not a mere few tinkering alterations but a staggering 32 changes which will alter the very fabric of the sport. It is driven by ideological obsessions and a distinct misreading of the game.

It does not need simplification for the purpose of television viewers (this is one of the underlying concepts), in fact it insults you, the viewers, who presumably are not savvy enough to enjoy the complexities of union.

It will weaken a sport that is growing by the day in the Northern Hemisphere. This season has proved that any excessive negativity during the World Cup (and it was too dark at times for my taste) was down to limited coaching and ambition not bad laws.

Rugby Union is, like many sports, cyclical, there are eternal verities about the playing of the game and having come through a negative view we are seeing some excellent and ambitious stuff without losing the biting intensity of the contest at set piece and break down.

The limited trialling during Super 14 has worsened the spectacle, unless a series of tapped free kicks is to your liking, yet still the plan is to implement even more laws when the evidence at this stage is against.

This is no Luddite plea for maintenance of the status quo but a hope that sanity prevails. Intelligent evolution when required is fine, this insanity, fuelled by wild eyed egos is not. The professional clubs of France and England are adamant in their opposition whilst England, Wales and Ireland's delegates are not being brow beaten.

Hopefully the IRB will not receive the 75% majority they need to implement a year of experiments. If the respective unions cannot hold the line do not be surprised if the clubs refuse to toe this ludicrous line. Another breakaway is not impossible albeit unlikely if it did come to pass it would be the IRB rather than the clubs who would finger the blame.

On a cheerier note it is possible to congratulate all four Heineken Cup semi finalists - Toulouse and Munster for making the final, London Irish and Saracens for defying expectations and pushing both sides all the way. It was experience rather than form which prevailed in both occasions. There will be no consolation for the losing players but both sets did themselves proud.

Bath looked a Heineken Cup contender with the manner of their dismissal of Sale and will be hard to beat although Worcester are playing with confidence and cannot be disregarded.

The Challenge Cup will be a decent final. Decent action as well this week with a battered Sale having to win at Harlequins to keep their hopes of a play off place alive (Harlequins will probably have to beat Leicester win or lose to qualify) whilst rampant Wasps are at home to Gloucester and Bath hope to face the recent Premiership Saracens side and not the stirring team that beat Ospreys and so nearly Munster....rule changes, why?

UNDER THE POSTS

Stuart Barnes answers your email...

Dear Stuart Please leave our coaches alone! Bath have lost too many coaches to international teams recently which has prevented us from getting any kind of momentum in the hunt for trophies.

Steve Meehan has got us playing an exciting and thrilling game, with a hard edge up front. We are fast becoming an all round team and are genuinely contenders for honours this year and next.

Whilst you have made some valid points and I cannot disagree with what you say about Steve Meehan and his abilities - please look elsewhere. How on earth are Bath ever going to be a consistently top team if our coaching staff are poached every two years.

Yes I am looking at this from purely a Bath fan point, so accept arguments of self interest. There does come a time though when enough is enough and it is far too heavy a price to pay for a successful season.

My concern is because of the media constantly talking up Brian Ashton to the point that the RFU came knocking. The compensation the club got was not enough. Now Meehan has us playing his way, if he were to be tempted how long before we got back to this level again.

So Stuart, in the interest of all things Bath, please start talking him down and others up.
Regards
Doug, Bath

STUART REPLIES: Doug, I fully understand where you are coming from. If I was a regular at the Rec I would start a hands off Meehan campaign but as a columnist I find it staggering that nobody has mentioned your man as yet, considering the varied style of Bath's offence. The article is a compliment to Meehan and my honest opinions of where I would go if I was in Martin Johnson's shoes.

Stuart, After yesterday's game against Toulouse do you feel that London Irish are now a force to be reckoned with and how can they build on yesterday's excellent performance.

Cheers
Chris

STUART REPLIES: Chris, One brave performance does not make London Irish a force to be reckoned with. Regular top four finishes in the Premiership is the mark of a team `to be reckoned with'. In terms of personnel I think you have the squad in place to bid such a challenge next season. Just a little more composure and more variety with possession and you'll get there...in fact with these attributes you would have made it to the final. It is athin line is it not and whilst Irish deserve great credit the team must not pat itself on the back and say `we almost did it', they must eliminate the errors and then they can eliminate the `almost' You have the coach, the players and - on Saturday's evidence the spirit on and off the field. It'll come.

Hi Stuart, A quick one for you, What chance would you give Ben Foden of being included in the tour party to NZ, especially as the 15 shirt is up for grabs at England level? I hope he realises that full back is his best position and not scrum half. I'm not a Sale fan but everytime I see him play he impresses me...
Cheers
Nick, Raynes Park

STUART REPLIES: Nick,There are a few raw edges still but he has pace, power and the ability to pick angles. These are not everyday qualities in a full back. Hitting the line off Danny Cipriani is an exciting prospect but is New Zealand the place for a rookie full back? It can be a lonely position...oh hell, why not, send him and Josh Lewsey to NZ and give them one test each. Few expect England to win so in some way the pressure is less than in the Six Nations (although I reckon they are going to some very close to winning one of those tests if the management have the courage to mix youth and experience...sorry I digressed from your question). Give him a chance and take only two scrum halves.

Hi Stuart, I saw on the Rugby Club you mention that New Zealand had some problems at centre. Has anyone caught you eye in that position while watching the Super 14?
Geoff

STUART REPLIES: Geoff, It is the absence of a test class second five eighth that has me wondering whether New Zealand have a few problems to sort out. After the tactical ineptitude of the France loss I cannot believe Graham Henry will not opt for a constructive twelve. The only man that comes anywhere near fitting that bill is Stephen Brett although perhaps Steven Donald might yet be converted from the fly half position he is filling so adroitly for the Chiefs.

Thanks for the variety of the mail, as ever, sorry I cannot answer it all but your enthusiasm for the game is always respected in these quarters, have a good week, if you are a Munster or Toulouse fan, have a very good week. See you in Cardiff

Stuart Barnes