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Alarming news that a top-level probe has been launched into allegations that members of the Under 20 (U20) squad stormed the stage of a festival in Italy, and caused huge amounts of damage to their hotel, highlights anger among fans over the national team’s extraordinary losing streak of 18 straight defeats, and unhappiness at the latest appointment.
The squad had their eighth-placed finish at the World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy confirmed on Saturday as they were beaten 31-23 by the tournament hosts, having won just one of their five games in the competition (perhaps offering echoes here of what happened to the national team).
But just hours after the final whistle sounded in Rovigo, some of the squad were allegedly causing havoc in the city centre.
Members of the squad have been accused in the Italian press of drunkenly disrupting a local festival by storming the stage and stealing a microphone from an event host, as well as urinating on walls and knocking over signs, furniture and bins outside bars and restaurants.
Players are also alleged to have caused “a few thousand Euros” of damage at the hotel they were staying in, with “several” doors broken in addition to “inappropriate” behaviour that saw them repeatedly reprimanded by hotel staff
Meanwhile the new man in charge of the senior team (Steve Tandy) takes over at a difficult time as only a win against Japan halted its dismal run, which included a 14-68 defeat to England at home.
Many have questioned the background of Mr Tandy, with his appointment being branded a “shocking choice” by one supporter online, and when commenting at the time on his forced departure from the Ospreys, Managing Director (MD) Andrew Millward said: “…we’re aware that results have not been good enough this season and that, regrettably, a change is necessary to keep the organisation moving forward – consistent with the long-term expectations of our loyal and valued supporters and commercial partners”.
WRU Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abi Tierney described Mr Tandy as “the standout candidate”, adding that “we know we have secured the very best coach for the job”, others, though, who follow Welsh rugby closely appear to disagree.
@HughEdw54983916 posted: “I really can’t see how a guy whose only experience beyond regional rugby is as a defence coach is going to develop the skills and creativity that is so lacking in the Welsh game. I despair.”.
@GarryJa63035159 said: ‘Nothing against ST but if he’s the “outstanding” coach available globally, WRU could not have searched that hard or we’re not willing to pay the going rate. For me it’s another less than satisfactory offering from the board.’.
@GameDayRugby stated: “Nothing against him personally but if this is the best we can do, we are doomed.”.
@doidge1927 posted: “Shocking choice, just shows the state of Welsh rugby. He has no credentials and done nothing in the game. Massive backwards step.”.
In an apparent message to the WRU, @panthomas said: “Six months to search the world over and this is what you come up with! Guess it’s the cheapest option for you. Good job you are not wasting 10s of thousands sending the women and hangers on out to Australia three weeks out from a World Cup in England!”.
@deon_lt posted: “Probably the best we could have gotten. Now we need to get him to get backed by the joke WRU and the time and space to do what’s needed to be done with a good back staff team.”.
@owainsworld announced: “Underwhelming but unsurprising given WRU is all but a laughing stock. Collectively and individually players need huge improvements. Only 2 were Lions, the rest not good enough to compete.”.
@paulGf185 said: “Not convinced unless someone can tell me different, look forward to his backroom team. Hope he’s not used as a scapegoat like Gatland was.”.
The WRU had given the reins to Matt Sherratt, the Cardiff coach on an interim basis, but he signed off on July 12 with a win away to Japan, and fans appeared dismayed at his treatment.
@MayhillDental said: “Not a word of thanks from WRU to Matt Sherratt for the impossible job that he took on. Classy organisation!”.
Mr Tandy’s tenure will begin on September 1, with his first tricky test being a match on November 9 against Argentina, followed by difficult fixtures with Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Many fans had wished him best of luck in the circumstances.
He may need it after that amazing 18 game losing streak, and maybe the WRU could use it too in their investigation of accusations that some Under 20 (U20) players caused a huge amount of damage to a hotel and disrupted a local festival.
The memories of our Editor, Welsh rugby follower Phil Parry’s extraordinary 41 year award-winning career in journalism as he was gripped by the rare disabling condition Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), have been released in the book ‘A GOOD STORY’. Order the book now!
Tomorrow – how news that the first Post Office (PO) ‘Capture’ conviction is to be sent to the Court of Appeal (CA), has once again thrown the spotlight on the central role of Wales in the later Horizon scandal.
