Some things never change

David Matthews is unable to fathom the logic of coach assessment

What a surprise! After Worcester had narrowly lost their game to Bath in the closing stages, none other than the fair minded Dean Ryan exploded  to reveal that Worcester were "the worst refereed" side in the Premiership. He didn't have in mind a particular referee, though the one who presided over that afternoon's defeat was fresh in the memory, but ALL referees and their assistants who had supervised Worcester's many setbacks in the last two seasons were in the firing line. If evidence was needed, he was in possession of 'secret' data in the form of a 'Trend Report' which, he claimed, showed that Worcester had more wrong decisions given against them than any other top-flight club. The RFU and Premiership Rugby, he maintained, were anxious that the information remain under wraps.

Another 'shock' followed when a week after Worcester had beaten Sale to gain their first win of the season, Sale's director of rugby, Steve Diamond, also of the "taking an objective look at the game" school, pronounced "We arrived as the most disciplined side in the competition and we go home with our arses kicked. I knew it was coming, that's the reaction from referees. As soon as somebody opens their mouth, they panic." Both Ryan and Diamond played close to the edge, never lost their abrasive style and have extended this philosophy to coaching. I am not so sure that it works. But let's get rid of the positives first: I am sure that both have their merits as coaches, though I wouldn't fancy being in either of their teams. While Dean Ryan spent some time as a Sky television pundit he presented a different image from his on the field demeanour; knowledgeable, polite, clear in his explanations and almost gracious at times. Steve Diamond is never less than forthright and will have his supporters, if not a large number amongst referees.

The Dean Ryan saga goes back a long time for me, early '80's and a match between Headingley and Saracens. He announced his presence for the London club very quickly in the game by pole axing an opponent for no apparent reason, an offence which, on reflection, deserved a red card. The next significant rendezvous occurred several years later when he was captain of Wasps, playing at Bath in what amounted to a Championship decider. Andy Robinson was the home captain, a toxic combination on the day to 'assist' in managing the game. You may remember it, suffice to say it was close to the top of my black list of games refereed in thirty-three years.

Not a new theme in these columns but why is that the referee always comes into the analysis? Of course he makes mistakes, I made plenty that day at Bath, one of which was not to have sent off a player earlier, which was not the assessment of a few reports which suggested I had not shown any sympathy for the game.

You can count the number of coaches/directors who talk sensibly after a game on almost one hand, again a familiar topic in these pages. They somehow steer clear of criticising the man who will be turning up again except to offer a diplomatic answer when pushed to the limit. The central characters in this piece would never be in that category, more an example of "some things never change."

(2/4/2016)