That is the only conclusion I can make from the farcical decision to dock the Ospreys 4 points next season, and fine them £100,000. This is because they refused to play a league game vs Ulster.
But it is not as clear cut as all that, in fact it is nothing like you would think from hearing that those nasty Osprey people (trust me, read any non-Welsh message board and you will see many people calling them a lot worse, based on nothing but hearsay) cancelled a game.
Rearranged
First up it was a rearranged game. Why was it re-arranged in the first place? Because Ulster failed to provide adequate facilities. Quite simply they had no under soil heating and were amazed to find they had to call a game off at short notice (freezing conditions in Ireland in the winter? Who’d have thought it?).
We then find that they put forward a date to the Magners League that not only did the Ospreys not agree to, but offered 3 alternative dates for. Ulster ignored the Ospreys and did it anyway. This, of course, sets a dangerous precedent. It seems that any home game can now be called off and rearranged for whenever you want it (even if it was called off for you not having adequate facilities). How much would the Dragons prefer to take on Munster in an International window? Or the Ospreys require Leinster to play them a day after Leinster play Munster? One hell of a good reason for calling off EVERY home game you have, to be rearranged for when you want.
Clashes
The game was never agreed to by the Ospreys, and for good reason, they knew they had little chance of fulfilling the fixture. The Magners League had, at the start of the season, insisted that no games took place whilst there were Internationals – and made the Welsh regions rearrange the EDF so that EDF games took place in the window instead. But apparently that didn’t count this weekend. The rearranged game was in the International Window for the 6 Nations, and so the Ospreys had all their Internationals out (including 3 front rowers, and another on Under 20 duty).
The game was also held at the same day as another big game. We will get onto the idea of ‘feeder clubs’ in a moment but the two that people suggested the Ospreys turn to for front row cover, Swansea and Neath, weren’t available. Why? Because the date Ulster chose not only had all the Welsh stars out but was the same day that first was playing 2nd in the Welsh Premiership. Which clubs were they? Ah yes, the supposed two ‘feeder clubs’ to the Ospreys, Neath vs Swansea.
Now before we get onto feeder clubs let us be very clear on something – there is no way a Magners League game can ever take precedent over a Welsh Premiership game because they are separate competitions, involving different teams and run by different people. The Magners League could no less insist that the Ospreys used one of the Neath or Swansea players any more that they could insist that they used Status Quo to sing before hand. They could ask, but they could not insist.
Feeder Clubs – The Myth Exposed
Now the idea of ‘Feeder Clubs’ is a failed one anyway, they are a myth. The Ospreys are owned by a company owned half by Swansea, half by Neath. this is a separate company for all intents and purposes – think about it, in a joint venture how many companies risk all their current business assets? None that survive that’s for sure.
So the direct relationship is out. Now think about the clubs for a moment. They contract players that they want, with an eye to being as successful as possible. Now it is suggested that the Ospreys could turn to any of them and take a player. But under what right is this true? these players are contracted to one company, another company can’t come in and demand they play for them instead.
Magners League
Some have suggested the Ospreys should have sought out short term cover. but this is missing the point. Firstly short term cover makes sense when you are talking about injuries, and the Ospreys did have some injuries (and a suspension), but they had the cover – if the games were played when the Magners League said they would be, outside of the International Window.
Magners League rules insists on a maximum of 36 players being registered, a minimum of 10 of which must be front row players. The Ospreys met this requirement, and still couldn’t play because of
1) Injuries
2) A suspension
3) International call ups
On a day that a game shouldn’t have been on, to a game that they didn’t agree to, and one they gave a lot of notice they weren’t going to attend.
Questions to be Answered
So tell me, why should Ulster have been allowed to dictate the game date? A dangerous precedent. Why should the Ospreys be punished for having 4 front row players in the Internationals? (at that point remember, the first choice Welsh front row as Geth and Rees were injured)?
From now on the message is clear. Retired ex-Internationals and those not good enough for International duty only. Otherwise you will be forced to play games without your players, and docked points and fined if you refuse.
I do hope the World is paying attention to how seriously the Magners League is taking itself, and acts appropriately.
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