Bloodgate affair will not harm reputation
WHETHER it be eye-gauging, drugs bans or the bloodgate scandal, it’s probably fair to say the game of rugby has not enjoyed the best of press this summer.
But once the Premiership gets underway in all its glory, starting with a Twickenham double-header this Saturday, then it’s simply a matter of time before it’s all forgotten.
In all sport where winning is important, people will always try to do things to get ahead, and that is simply the case here. Yes, it’s a form of cheating, but that, I’m afraid, is the way sport is when so much at stake. I have sympathy for Dean Richards. He became embroiled in one of these forms of cheating but I don’t think it is the blood incident itself which has earned Dean a three-year ban, but the subsequent cover-up that followed.
I wouldn’t wish a ban like that on anyone, especially someone like Dean Richards, but if he’d have acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologised then I don’t think the issue would have been blown up quite so much.
ANYONE CAN BEAT ANYONE
While all eyes seem to be focused on matters off the field, it’s our job to concentrate on what’s happening on it, and there’s a small matter of a season opener against many people’s favourites, London Irish, in front of a full-house at Twickenham tomorrow. It promises to be a fantastic occasion with our match followed by Harlequins v Wasps.
Many people seem to have written us off this summer but each one of our players has played at least four warm-up games and are fit, healthy and raring to go.
Into the squad come 12 new players, including four from the Super 14, while 14 have left, meaning we had to extend the warm-up period to allow the squad to gel.
I believe we have a squad strong enough to challenge for a play-off place this year but the beauty of the Premiership is that anyone can beat anyone on their day, and that once again makes for an open contest.
Leicester, Wasps, Harlequins and Irish will surely be the four to beat again, although I believe Andy Key and Neil Back will do a good job at newly-promoted Leeds.
Brendan Venter is rugby director at Sarcaens RFC. For tickets call 01923 475222.