Welcome to Bath Micky Young!

One of the new boys drafted into Bath this season by Gary Gold is ex Falcons, Tigers and Sevens player Micky Young.

A traditional scrum half who is small, nippy and delivers good distribution of the ball. He is also well know for having a little bit of a firey temperament and plays with full commitment. With training alongside a legendary scrum half in the form of Peter Stringer it can only help improve his already growing talent.

I believe the 'mighty' Micky young could be an inspired acquisition made by Bath. And I was lucky enough to speak to him last week on the phone calling from France as he was waiting to take on his old club Falcons in their 21-21 draw.

Welcome to Bath! You've been here for a few weeks now, how are you settling in to the club?

Been down here now for a few months and really settling in, there's a great group of lads here and the city is great. The set up at Bath is really good and I can't wait to get out on the pitch.

With you and George ford signing at the same time has it made it easier to join a new club with a fellow team-mate? Plus the added bonus of having Biggsy there as you have both shared a lot of history playing together.

It does help having others around you that you know and have played with, but all the guys here have made it such an easy move.

What lead to you making the decision to leave Tigers for Bath?

Looking at the direction Bath are looking to go I felt it is a positive move, a chance of first team rugby and help take them back up the table made it a positive move for me.

Having Ben youngs as the first choice scrum half at tigers was it getting frustrating with the lack of first team starts.

Team selections and injuries did make the two years there frustrating, I like to play so on the bench isn't where I wanted to be.

There's a great set up at Farleigh how's the training going? Is there much difference between Bath, Tigers or Falcons in the facilities?

Farleigh is just an incredible place, the facilities are just incredible. The other two clubs are not even close to Bath's training facilities.

How has the training regime been so far?

Hard and intense but delivering good results and bringing a good squad of guys together.

Was Poland really as much fun as you guys made it out to be?

We did have a good time out there, it was incredibly hard work and some of the hardest I've worked but a great bonding time.

On your return from Poland you made the trip back to your motherland of Hartlepool, I understand that you family is very important to you is it going to be hard living so far away from them?

We're lucky we live in a small country so they can travel down. They come to all my games to give their support. It great having them at the games.
I'm loving the city itself and settling nicely, really is a great place.

Your brother Christopher plays for west Hartlepool has there ever been any competition between you as brothers? Obviously him being a flanker it's difficult to make comparisons but surely there has to be a little brotherly rivalry?

Rugby wise there isn't any competition as he's taken another route, he's followed through doing his uni work as I've concentrated on rugby. There is a brotherly rivalry in different aspects of our lives, as brothers do, but generally we do support each other in what we do.

You've had a little experience wearing the red rose of England with the Saxons and of coarse the sevens are you hoping the move to Bath will help you move towards a potential EPS call up one day?

Every player dreams of playing for their country and England would be a dream. At the moment I just want to play for the club and repay them for bringing me in. I just want to do my job and hopefully see Bath do well, at the moment that's all I'm concentrating on.

You managed some good success with the sevens notably scoring the winning try at Twickenham in 2009, I was lucky enough to be there, would you crown that as your greatest moment in the sevens shirt?

Without doubt!! To score the winning try at Twickenham against the All Blacks is a dream. It was over in a flash though, wished the moment had lasted longer it all seemed like a dream!

Ben Ryan recently stepping down as the sevens coach came a shock he helped bring the game forward in England, how much of an inspiration was he to you personally?

Banji really was great and helped and encouraged me, generally a really great guy and done wonders for sevens and me. It was a great to be in the set up and Banji did a really good job of running it. He supported a drove all the boys on.

Do you think he will be missed or do you think he's developed a good set up for his successor to help drive them on?

Banji will be missed but the set up he has helped to create has seen a great group of lads come together and the next coach should be able to follow on in his work, possibly taking them on further.

Banter has always been a big part of rugby and there seems to be a good element of banter and camaraderie at Bath, how are you finding it and who is the biggest joker in the squad?

There is a lot that goes on between the boys, to be honest there's a big list here. The two that stand out for me is obviously Biggsy who has always been a joker, and also one of the guys leading the pack is Kano.

With Bath's first premiership game being against Newcastle will it be good to run out at Kingston park again if only for the opposing team?

It would be great to run out at Kingston park again it holds great memories for me. Last time I was there was with Tigers and I was on the bench, would love to get back out there and play and enjoy that atmosphere.

Your first potential outing at the Rec is against Tigers, it's always good to see Bath beat Tigers but for you does it hold a more poignant moment for you first home game wearing a Bath shirt?

For me is first of all to get picked, that's the main aim at the moment. I can't wait to get out onto the Rec and play in front of the home crowd, it's an amazing place and love the family feeling there. I want to play that's really what I want to do, play well and repay the club for believing in me.
I do know that for the Bath fans to beat Tigers at home is a great thing, just hope I can help do that.

Big thanks Micky and really hope it goes well for you, thanks for taking time out to speak to me.

A big thanks to Bath and David Flatman for organising the interview lets hope for a good season for Bath and Micky as well.

Who will lead the Blue, Black and White army into battle?

Not sure if you're aware yet but the start of the Aviva Premiership is almost upon us! It's been kept quite low key with very little build up.

The jigsaw for Bath Rugby is so nearly complete for the impending season.
New signing's- check, list of fixtures- check, new kit- check, club captain- still on the to-do list.
So who will be this season man to guide the storming band of men in Blue, Black and White onto the battlefield this season?

This season I feel Bath actually have an abundance of players that can take that role, a first time for many seasons. After two unlucky seasons for Stuart Hooper, injuries certainly plaguing his tenure, will Gary Gold will select a new General?

With this question in mind I thought I'd throw it out on Twitter to see who the fans would elect as the club captain, armed with a few suggestions I awaited their views. Suggestions of François Louw, Matt Banahan, Nick Abendanon, Stuart Hooper, Rob Webber or any other suggested players.

The Bath faithful as always were happy to voice their options and reasonings behind their selections. From the list came two big forerunners and one suggestion I'd not put in my original line up. Between the three supporters captain elect came in the form of Webber, Louw and Attwood. Three players who had phenomenal seasons for Bath and always played with 100%, but what are their credentials for becoming the captain to lead Bath?

Dave Attwood after two strong seasons at Bath he's enjoying a resurgence in form which has seen him enjoy a recall to the England squad, a solid tour of Argentina has seen Stuart Lancaster select him for the EPS for the autumn internationals. A regular starter now for Bath and a player who plays with such intensity, passion and skill could he be the chosen one?

François Louw an absolute class player, no world class player! Picked for the Bok's for the upcoming rugby championship many consider him as the best at his position in the world at this time. So solid and dependable for Bath and also captained them on many occasion, leading by example on the pitch and now with his 'long term" contract extension is more proof to the commitment of the club his has. A firm fans favourite Louw is a strong candidate for the appointment.

Rob Webber signed for Bath with a shoulder injury the Bath supporters were desperate to see him don the Bath shirt and show us what he was made off, and when he did there was no disappointment. The second half if the season saw him become a dominant force in the Bath pack. Having already captained Wasps and now England stands him in strong stead for the captaincy, and with a omission (not sure why) from the England set up Webber has a lot more availability to concentrate on Bath.

The point of international absentees for Louw and Attwood have been raised as issues for their potential role as captain, and for Attwood the question of is he ready to hold the leaders job.
There is the possibility of an international call up for Webber should he continue in his current form and an injury for the current hooker's in the England set up.

My personal choice for the job is with Webber, Louw is for many but I just feel Webber edges him.
No matter who your choice is it's refreshing for Gary Gold to have such a wide choice.

We now have to wait to see if Gold has the same opinion as you and slots in the remaining piece of the jigsaw.

Have Tiger's dared to disrespect the RFU??

Everybody knows that Richard Cockerill is a passionate man in regards to Leicester Tigers, so passionate he has the odd tendency to overstep the mark. 

Passion is a good thing and shows commitment to the club and sport, crossing the line can be a detrimental choice.

To use abusive language directed at any official in rugby is a definite no-no and goes against the fundamental ruling of upholding respect in rugby.

Cockerill has fallen foul of this on more than one occasion. On this occasion his outburst was viewed by a vast array of rugby fans worldwide in the Aviva premiership final, not the best advertisement for English rugby and leading the RFU to take action.

Cockerill was hit with a nine week touchline ban after being found guilty of using obscene, inappropriate and/or unprofessional language and behaviour towards fourth official Stuart Terheege in a reaction to a tackle on Toby Flood. 

Tigers found this punishment to be harsh and opted to make an appeal against the judgement. The appeal hearing failed to agree with Cockerill and Leicester Tigers and up held the ban, although took the decision to amend the fixtures involved in the suspension. The suspension now begins on the 24th of August and runs until the 18th of October, including two pre-season fixtures against Jersey and Ulster and ends with a Heineken Cup tie with Treviso.

24 Aug - Jersey (away) 31 Aug - Ulster (home) 8 Sep - Worcester (home) 14 Sep - Bath (away) 21 Sep - Newcastle (home) 29 Sep - Exeter (away) 5 Oct - Northampton (home) 11 Oct - Ulster (away) 18 Oct - Treviso (home)

With the offence taking place in the Aviva premiership final would it not be more apt for the punishment to be served in that competition? Including friendly fixtures is a reduction in its self. 

I have no issue with the length of suspension just the rearrangement to appear as if they're still being vigilant but in reality easing the pressure on Cockerill and Tigers. This re-timing of Cockerill's ban still isn't to Tigers liking and have released this statement-

"We are pleased that the judgement vindicated our decision to appeal and we are grateful to the panel for the consideration that they showed, although we await with interest the written judgement to see why the pre-season game against Montpellier falls into a different category than those against Jersey and Ulster.

"We remain disappointed with the RFU's conduct in this matter but, as we have previously stated, this is a matter we shall pursue privately.

"The focus now is on the remainder of our pre-season and our preparations for the start of the new season."

To release a statement stating that you are 'disappointed' with the RFU's conduct is not only showing a lack of respect for the RFU but also condoning Cockerill's behaviour. It would of been more appropriate if they had stipulated they were disappointed with Cockerill's conduct, not the governing body who are still trying to install respect in rugby!       

I have raised the point before in regards to keeping respect going in rugby http://bathbytes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/referees-respect-at-all-times-or-lot-to.html the game it's self is growing ever popular and more and more children are taking up rugby, is Cockerill's behaviour and Tigers open disregard of the RFU what we want the future players to believe is now acceptable? Do we also want the rest of the rugbying world to look at Cockerill and Tigers and believe this is the way English rugby is going? 

To support your director of rugby is a very admirable and appropriate thing for any club to do, but to publicly hit out at the RFU for actually easing Tigers pain by moving the suspension to include non-competitive fixtures shows very poor form. Although I truly now believe the scrutiny that will now be heaped upon Tigers and Cockerill will be very intense, from the RFU, fans and media will all be paying a very close attention but will it make any difference?

Here comes the Henson affect!

The signing of Gavin Henson was met by many of the fans with great trepidation!! A lose canon with a history of losing sight if why he's famous..........he's a rugby player!!!

For many people the major issue with Henson is his ego arrives five minutes before he does. Another problem I have with him is the factor he's an extremely naturally gifted rugby player, his belief of self worth appears to overshadow that.

When I heard Henson had signed I hoped and believed that what Nick Blofeld told us'I think Gavin is much more settled and mature person than that image we have in our heads.' I thought let's give him a chance and let his rugby do the talking.

All of Henson's history with drunken incidents will always be a concern, and once again it's raised its head. A night out with new fellow team mates she Henson ending it being knocked out by Carl Fearns, possibly not the best start he could of hoped for with the controversial move to Bath. Apparently waltzing around as if he owned the Pig and Fiddle in Bath aggravated his fellow team mates and they try to calm him down, unfortunately it appears Henson wasn't in the mood for listening and subsequently Fearns took the action to release a telling blow for Henson. 

As it would be wrong to condone Carl Fearns actions, and I expect him to be punished accordingly, the main concern is Henson's attitude on the evening and what did he say to Fearns for him to react in such a manner? It's not pretty viewing and does no favours for Henson, Fearns or the club. http://youtu.be/1hY5OqBki7Q 

Bath have had their fair share of incidents that have put them in the news for all the wrong reasons. Matt Stevens was handed a two year ban for testing positive for cocaine in 2009,this was followed shortly by a huge drug scandal resulting in 5 players leaving the club. Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins receiving a nine-month ban after being found guilty of failing to submit to drugs tests on two separate occasions. Former wallabies player Justin Harrison also received an eight month ban after admitting to drug use and stating 'everyone's doing it'. All of this came to light after an end of season night out in London finished with an altercation with a group of Quins players, who also were celebrating the end of season in the same pub, it resulted in Harrison being knocked out and taken to hospital. Bad press is not what Bath want and they have been managing to appear to be cleaning the club up. 

As a supporter looking in there seems to be a good sense of unity between the players, a group of players who all seem have a good bond with each other. To use the #BathFamily at times seems very appropriate, they look like a solid unit and that helps build a team and will transpire onto the pitch. 

So this raises the point - how would a primadonna fit in with the team? It appears not very well. As it is very early into preseason and already Henson's behaviour has aggravated his team mates this doesn't bode we'll for the following season. It appears that Henson has a few lessons to be learnt on how to conduct yourself in public, and Fearns demonstrated what will happen if you misbehave in Bath, it's about respect if Henson wants support in Bath he needs to earn that! 

With a talented player but continuously shrouded in controversy and already demonstrating its going to be a bumpy ride, can the fans get behind him a support him on the pitch or is it now just a call for Bath to cut him lose before he's even played in Blue Black and White, can he be controlled or will bad publicity continue to follow. As Henson is such a well known player anything he's now involved in that goes slightly amiss there is going to be huge publicity and is that good for the clubs reputation? 

Bring on September!!

Now that the Lions have successfully defeated the Australians and we've revelled in their victorious tour it's moving on to that time of year, the time where we get to embrace our beloved club rugby. The time where we get to parade around in our teams colours, turn ourselves into a knowledgeable pundit and fill our hearts with expectations of a successful season.

Things are now slotting into place for the next season at Bath, could we be looking at a much improved run out for the boys in Blue, Black and White? We had a promise of a "new beginning" last season, with a new collective of coaching staff. The success wasn't quite up to the expectations, but a first seasons tenure with somebody else's squad is never going to be easy.

There was some moments of brilliance from the squad and a few woeful displays. The true display of a "new beginning" comes with the second season, time to acquire new players and allow players to move on as they may not fit the desired plan.

So Gary Gold has done just that, and with his shopping list in hand appears to of made some exciting purchases. With his acquisitions it's easy to see the future is where he is directing the squad and using a few mature players to help guide the youthful members, aiding their already rising skills to help become an accomplished solid team. With a squad now designed on Gary Gold's ideas and visions of where the club should be going as supporters we need to fully support the Team and believe the clubs expectations are the same as ours.

A  list of 10 players have announced over the last few months who have been drafted in, some we knew long before their announcements and some a little surprising. Rumours and speculation flew around last season linking everyman and his dog to Bath. As the squad and the new batch of players all join up slowly together for pre-season excitement and anticipation is drifting in to see how the reformed team can perform this season.

Forwards

Matt Garvey- @MattGarvey5

Coming along the M4 from London Irish comes an interesting utility forward, being able to cover the  second and back row is an unusual ability for a forward. For the last couple of seasons at the exiles  have seen him raise his profile and become a quality player, using Gary Gold's words to describe the 25 year old "He is a big unit and can do the rough stuff, but he can also offer a real threat in attack." On the fringe of the Saxons a promising player and a good call for Bath. 

Leroy Houston- @leroyhouston8

An Australian number 8 that has impressed Gold for some time. Houston arrives at the Rec following a two year stint at French club Colomiers. "Leroy is a guy I have admired for a long time and we are delighted to have secured him. He's very dangerous with ball in hand and loves to hit hard in defence."

At 26 he's already experienced glory while picking up the super 15 title with the Queensland Reds in 2011, let's hope he can replicate that with Bath and becomes a key player within the squad.

David Sisi- @DavidSisi

Joining his fellow ex-exile team mate Matt Garvey in the forwards comes an exciting prospect for Bath. Being 6'4" and 120kg the back-rower Sisi at only 20 is what is known as a big lad! A truly natural player and a huge rising talent, with his displays for London Irish last season and a phenomenal showing for the England u20's in the junior world cup, where they returned as champions it's plain to see why Bath were keen to sign him.

Juan Pablo Orlandi- @Jpiolandi

Joining Bath from Racing Metro 92 Orlandi becomes the third Argentine to join Bath in the last year, joining his fellow countrymen winger Horacio Agulla and hooker Eusebio Guiñazú  forming a strong Puma contingent at Bath. 

As the Argentine's are renowned for their scrummaging prowess the 30 year old tight head prop lives up to that billing. Another powerhouse in the front row will help add an extra dimension to an already formidable front row.

Backs

George Ford- @George_Fordy

Picked to a future fly half for England a future prospect that helps build greater expectations for the club. 

Joining his father at Bath, who is now promoted to head coach, Ford is expected to make big steps at the club.

At the ripe old age of 20 he already has an impressive list of statistics.

Including 14 appearances for England U18s and 11 for England U20s then handed a promotion to the England Saxons squad. Not only wad he the youngest player to make his debut at professional club level, making 33 first team appearances for Tigers amassing a total of 220, but in 2011 he became not only the youngest but first English player to receive the IRB junior player of the year. 

Micky Young-

Another ex-Tiger joining Ford in the path to Bath is 24 Micky Young. As with Ford well decorated in caps for England, up through the age ranges all that's missing is an EPS cap to add to his tally. Moved to Tigers in 2011 from Falcons after 79 caps within 3 seasons, under used at Tigers hopefully we will get to see his best at the Rec, and after seeing him play at Twickenham and scoring the winning try in the IRB Sevens in 2008/09 against New Zealand I know there's a lot to come from this nippy little scrum half.

Anthony Watson- @anthonywatson_

The third of the of the London Irish quartet to join Bath Watson is a 19 year old fullback who with  footwork and pace may rival Kyle Eastmond in the excitement stakes, anybody lucky enough to see him run out for the England U20s would of seen what he has to offer. With the likes of the truly unpredictable running Bendy to work with as a potential mentor he appears to be another shrewd signing for the future by Gold.

Jonathan Joseph- @JonathanJoseph0

The final member of the quartet of new recruits from London Irish is Joseph, possibly one of the most exciting centres in the premiership. Enjoyed a good tour of Argentina in the summer with England, seeing him pair up with Kyle Eastmond and proved what we'd been hoping, Bath are looking at having one if the most electric centre pairings with the potential to destroy many defensive lines. With good support around them I believe we are going to see many a try in the 2013/2014 season.

Martin Roberts-@martin_Roberts9

Sneaking in quietly us the treble cap winning welsh Roberts. He has donned the Welsh red jersey un every capacity be it school, junior, elite and sevens. Adding to the scrum half collective of Stringer and young fast ball seems to be the target for next season's game plan, but with Roberts we may see him taking it on alone to make that extra yardage and stretch the oppositions defence.

Gavin Henson- no twitter account but @UnrealGavHenson

The final purchase is Roberts fellow Welshman and possibly the most scrutinised purchase for Bath, the player known more for off the pitch activities as those on the pitch. Love him or hate him the pure fact is he is a naturally talented player and still has plenty to offer the game. Henson a utility back will be able to fill in a selection of positions from fly half, centre or full back, a very useful asset to have around when international duties call. His 33 caps for Wales and his experience will help aid the younger members if the squad, a quality kicker which could assist Heathcote and Ford and potentially be the difference between a win or a loss, which has been an issue at the Rec over recent seasons.

New recruits in place and meeting up with the rest of the squad learning to gel as a team, the next step was to learn who Bath will be facing in the new campaign. 

With a starting fixture against newly promoted Falcons at Kingston Park, no easy fixture as newly promoted teams come out with all guns blazing and want to make a mark showing their worth top flight rugby. 

The next two fixtures will be a large test for Bath. Tigers at the Rec and the Tigers potentially hurting from Richard Cockerill's ban, the possibility is there for Bath to be able to grab some points from them. Sarries up next at the Allianz Park will be a huge task and may be a gauge where Bath are in comparison to the big boys.

A added bonus this season is the fact that six out of Bath's first fixtures will be televised, obviously only a bonus if your lucky enough to have BT Sport.

6/9/13 19:45      Newcastle Falcons           Away

14/9/13 15:15    Leicester Tigers               Home

22/9/13 14:00.   Saracens                         Away

28/9/13 15:00.   London Irish                    Home

4/10/13 19:45.   Sale Sharks                    Away

25/10/13 19:45  Gloucester Rugby.          Home

1/11/13 19:45.   Worcester Warriors         Away

23/11/13 15:00  London Wasps                Away

30/11/13 15:00  Exeter Chiefs                  Home

21/12/13 15:00. Harlequins                      Home

28/12/13 15:00 Northampton Saints        Away

4/1/14 15:00     LeicesterTigers               Away

8/2/14 15:00.    Newcastle Falcons         Home

15/2/14 15:00   Exeter Chiefs                 Away

22/2/14 15:00   London Wasps               Home

28/2/14 20:00    Saracens                       Home

22/3/14 15:00   London  Irish                  Away

29/3/14 15:00   Sale Sharks                    Home

12/4/14 15:00   Gloucester Rugby          Away

19/4/14 15:00   Worcester Warriors        Home

3/5/14 15:00     Northampton Saints       Home

10/5/14 15:00   Harlequins.                     Away

The only thing still missing from the complete jigsaw puzzle is the new kit, we know there will be a new one but as of yet no news. As Puma have pulled out of rugby it was announced that Bath will have a whole new kit. In the normal trend from Bath there's a deathly silence in regards to this, no manufacture or even a hint of design. My own preference and I know that many agree, we need a return to the classic hoops!

Bring on September and lets get the Blue, Black and White ball rolling and hope for a successful season!  

Horwill and Cockerill's day of destiny

Why is Monday the first of July so important in the rugby world judicial system? Answer we could be looking at two very important decisions to me made, both with potential to show big statements and both will be picked to pieces by many a journalist and supporters with their own verdicts.

The two cases in hand is the James Horwill retrial over the stamp on Alun Wyn Jones and Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill's hearing as he is alleged to have used obscene, inappropriate and/or unprofessional language and behaviour towards fourth official Stuart Terheege.

Much has been debated, dissected and chewed over in regards to James Horwill. There was a huge disbelief that Horwill escaped any sanctions, some believed it was deserved and some felt it would harsh if he was punished. Regardless of your views on the incident it went unpunished, although it did cause a huge furore in the rugbying world. With such a high profile series and Australian captain being seemed to 'get off likely' by an Australian panel the IRB decided to review the process. The IRB's decision was met with a sense of trepidation as to some it showed little faith in their own disciplinary process, but their decision to hold it after the second test raised even more questions. One question in particular is

"if they are that concerned with the result of the first hearing why allow him to play in the second?"

By allowing Horwill to play in the second test was going to be a controversial issue, being the captain the on field decisions will be made by him and if Australia win his presence could of aided that victory. This is exactly what happened, Horwill opting to take a scrum rather than a kick at goal resulting in several phases of pressure from Australia and leading to Adam Ashley Cooper's try. The try that gave them the lead and ultimately victory. 

If the IRB decide to administer a ban to Horwill it will be seen to make even more of a mockery of their systems and the whole farcical situation will become much more than a player being seen to stamp on another players head, but more to the point what could the IRB done to avoid this and will they put a full review on their whole judicial process? 

Regardless of the outcome now it's more how can the IRB save face and try to make good some poor handling of the issue, for me it will take a miracle as there is no way of leaving this red faced.

Love him or hate him the controversial figure of Richard Cockerill will also be up in front of a judicial panel for an alleged outburst at a fourth official at the Aviva premiership final back in May. His outburst came after a late tackle by Courtney Lawes flattening  Toby Flood was only deemed as a penalty, this riled Cockerill greatly and went to the fourth official to vent his anger.

The same fixture saw Dylan Hartley swear at referee Wayne Barnes earning himself a red card and a 11 week ban that excluded him from the Lions tour.                                                               

We are all aware of Cockerill's out spoken manner and at times pushes the boundaries to extremes.

Cockerill's response at the end of the match: "I am allowed to talk to officials about what is happening on the field. I will talk to whoever I want. I said to the fourth official that the Lawes tackle should have been referred to the TMO, as has been the case all season. It was foul play with the sanction of a yellow card or potentially more."

Cockerill had a warning from the RFU earlier in the season after criticising the way referee Andrew Small was dealing with the scrum during their victory over Gloucester at Welford Road.

Another indiscretion came in 2009, where he was delivered a four-week touchline ban, meaning he could have no contact with his team on match days, for verbally abusing referee Tim Wigglesworth during an LV Cup match with Newport Gwent Dragons.

With such a history of disrespect for match officials will the RFU administer a fitting punishment? A player is heavily sanctioned for such behaviour so should a director of rugby be treated in the same manner.........answer Surely should be yes. What message would it send out across rugby if you have one rule for one and yet different for others, it comes back to delivering consistency in rugby.

Although things don't seem to be quite so cut and dry, the delay in announcing the there had been a citing goes against the RFU's rules. According to the RFU’s own regulations, dated August 2012 'any citing should be with the RFU head of discipline within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match'. A ruling designed deliberately to stop the RFU reacting to any media speculation, yet on its occasion it seems to have been over ruled.

Cockerill’s charge was announced on Monday the 3rd of June, a time scale of 9 DAYS after the event. So with the RFU Head of Discipline supposed receive this from the citing officer before 5pm on Sunday May 26 why announcement or any knowledge of the citing until Monday 3 rd of June? 

Which ever way these two hearings go there is a huge potential for controversy and endless discussions of if each, lets just hope the IRB and RFU handle both with a true level of caution and suitable sanctions are taken.

Continuity in citings?

Rugby is a sport which prides itself on respect and fair play, a sport that promotes equality. Be you tall, short, skinny or mildly rotund the game has a role for you. A physical game played by what many refer to as "real men"!
Physicality that sometimes boils over into foul play, now with so much media coverage and the TMO system more infringements are being picked up on leading to more punishments and bans being distributed. For some they believe it's bringing a sterilisation to the game and potentially losing the edge that make the game, playing on the cusp brings more entertainment. For which I disagree, I believe that player safety is imperative and that it's still physical especially now it's a fully established professional sport.

We are now fully accepting of TMO and leading to a citings committee being pulled into action, but are we accepting if their decisions?

So many citings have been called into question, are they suitable and appropriate to fit the crime. My thoughts are these panels just don't appear to be hitting the mark.....in fact missing it like a Kurtley Beale kick (couldn't resist).

For anyone who has viewed the footage of James Horwill's stamp on Alun-Wyn Jones' head it seemed conclusive evidence that there was a sign of intent. So as rugby fans and the rugbying media discussed what punishment Horwill would receive nobody expected the actual outcome from the hearing. The news was announced that a not guilty decision had been made. The panel headed by Nigel Hampton QC came to the decision which took nearly four hours to make released this statement-

"After hearing all the evidence I could not find that, when James Horwill's right foot came into glancing contact with Alun-Wyn Jones' face, that he was acting recklessly,"

"I found that I could not reject as being implausible or improbable Horwill's explanation that, as he was driving forward with his right leg raised, he was spun off balance through the impact of Lions players entering the ruck from the opposite side,"

"In an endeavour to regain his balance, Horwill brought his right leg to the ground unknowing that Alun-Wyn Jones' head was in that area, due to having his sight impeded by the presence of Michael Hooper and Tom Croft who were beneath him and over the top of Alun-Wyn Jones.

"Due to these reasons, I cannot uphold the citing."

A verdict that I for one cannot understand, how after four hours this was the conclusion. So how can the Australian captain escape what seemed to be such damming evidence of a stamp that left the Welshman requiring stitches? But then we beg the question on how can some of the incidents we see go to these citing committees not quite go the way many believe they should go. 

A fixture of the magnitude that the first test between Australia and the Lions is should a citings be dealt with in a different manner? The sport is a global game and these games are some of the biggest in the game, would handing it to a independent IRB panel with a representatives from many nations dispel views of biased outcomes?

Consistency seems to be a a major issue within the citing committees, there have been many results that have raised many an eyebrow. We've seen let offs and huge reductions in lengths of bans. 
Rugby shows the world that it will not take any infringements likely, they do not dwell on things and deal with the matter within days, whereas football will take months. But is this the correct way, is rushing leading to poor decisions.

Following the first test the Lions had their last mid week fixture against the Melbourne Rebels and once again another citing, this time for Lachlan Mitchell. Mitchell was cited for a dangerous tackle on Simon Zebo and subsequently was summonsed before the same panel as Horwill. Many deemed the tackle an innocuous one and with no intent or malice but Nigel Hampton QC and the panel saw things differently. Mitchell was handed a one match ban, the normal suspension for this offence is A four match ban but reductions have been made.

“I found that the incident was clearly at the lowest level for this offence,” said judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC, in a statement released by the Australian Rugby Union.
“The penalty associated for the lower level breach of Law 10.4 (j) is a suspension of four matches.
“Because of the circumstances and Lachlan Mitchell’s good on-field record, I have determined that the maximum reduction to the sentence of 50% should be applied.
“Further to this, I found that an additional discount to the suspension should be made as I believe a two-match penalty would be disproportionate to the level and type of offence that has occurred.
“As such, I have delivered a sanction of a one-match suspension, which will be fulfilled following the Rebels’ next Super Rugby fixture on July 12.” .

So from four match to a one week ban for a tackle many didn't even deem worth a ban?

One of the most contentious errors in judgements came from the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand. The world saw one of the most cynical tackles to take a player out of the game and the tour. With seconds on the clock Umaga and Mealamu took it upon their selves to simultaneously spear tackle on the then Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll, leaving him with a dislocated shoulder and his tour ended. What followed was much worse, for such a heinous crime neither received any sanctions and went unpunished.

On most counts the citings are caught early and dealt with although it's the reductions that mildly baffle me, it's also now becoming a running joke amongst fans. One of the favourite phrases that will be used is "exemplary behavior" there is also further reduction for a guilty plea. The jokes now come to the extent of a player attending a hearing may take a nice cake or further reductions for having a 'nice' tie on! With such mockery and a full lack of respect being shown is it now not time the IRB gave a full reassessment of the citings process?

A prime example of ludicrous reductions comes in the form of Andrew Hore, originally was hit with the top end punishment for the cowardly crime of striking Bradley Davis from behind, who was totally unaware of what was going on. The ban was then handed out with a three week deduction due to his- acceptance of guilt, genuine remorse, exemplary discipline record and his conduct during the hearing. Hore also had a daily contact with Davis while he was in hospital.

The judicial official said "The act of foul play was inherently dangerous, being a deliberately swinging of the delivered with significant force, causing serious injury to victim who was unsighted." "the player had not intended to make contact with the players head". But when you weigh up the fact that there is six inches difference in height between the two players so begs the question "why was his hand near his head if there was no intention to strike him?"

A five match ban reduced from eight is one thing, then take into account three of those fixtures were pre-season games. Weighing up that it looks to of been a very lenient punishment. Ian Foster (New Zealand assistant coach), Hore and his legal representative stated the pre-season significances and meaningful consequences for the player in accordance with IRB regulation 17.

sadly this wasn't a first for Hore who has previous form for foul play, so should a sterner more apt punishment been implemented?

When Dylan Hartley opted to use foul language directed to the match official he broke the fundamental rule of respecting the referee. By doing so he had to face to consequences and feel the wrath of the citing committee and face the ultimate price. A punishment to any British or Irish player that would be considered as the ultimate punishment, a ban that sees him miss the length of the Lions tour. Hartley obviously isn't amiss to crossing the line and has plenty of previous form in indiscipline. If you weigh up his punishment in regards to others it seems a little unbalanced, an 11 week ban for verbal abuse as opposed to no punishment for stamping on somebody's head? Respect is beyond important in rugby but do we really believe verbal is worse than physical abuse? Yes rugby is a contact sport and the we all accept the physical side, for many that's the draw, but deliberate has no place and should be punishable in relevance to verbal infringements.

Such poor decisions is almost making a mockery if the sport we know and love, it truly isn't giving a good representation and positive message to the world.