Your rugby morning headlines for Monday, April 4.
South Africa drubbing will help players
Former Wales international Chris Horsman believes the drubbing Wales' teams have taken out in south Africa over the past few weeks will prove to be a good thing.
The Welsh teams have been thrashed by a combined score of 351-106 in the southern hemisphere, with Dragons coach Dean Ryan warning Wales they are miles behind the South Africans in terms of power. You can read more on that here.
Horsman agrees with that sentiment but believes the pain may be necessary, saying on Scrum V: "I agree with the things Dean says about power but I think this is a really good opportunity for our players to play against these southern hemisphere teams and players. I remember when I was playing that was seen as the only way you can test yourself. We're going through a bit of pain at the moment but I think in the long run it will be really beneficial for the players."
READ MORE: Chief to say goodbye as he fears for Welsh rugby and labels region 'a farce'
O'Gara branded 'insufferable' by rival
Bordeaux coach Christophe Urios has slammed Ronan O'Gara after their touchline spat at a Top 14 match at the weekend.
O'Gara's La Rochelle side won a crucial penalty in their own 22 at the end of the first half, ensuring it was a one-score game at the break and it led to the two coaches clashing on the touchline. Urios felt O'Gara had encroached too much onto the field to celebrate the penalty and communicate with the players.
The pair squared up as words were exchanged and it looked like the confrontation might turn physical before the fourth official arrived on the scene.
La Rochelle went on to win the match with a late Ihaia West penalty. After the match. Urios gave his verdict on what had transpired.
"This guy [O'Gara] is insufferable. I regret that the fourth official did not do his job," he said.
"How do you get on the pitch and chat to the players? He's lucky, huh… He goes to the stands, he is shouting and cursing in the stands. He goes to the edge of the pitch, he is shouting and cursing at the edge of the pitch. He is unbearable...
"But I don't care, it's over. I moved on. I don't give a s*** about him."
English rugby 'wasting millions' and not fulfilling potential
Brian Moore has written a stark column for the Telegraph, in which he accuses the English rugby of spurning millions of pounds and not fulfilling its potential.
Much is often made of the country's vast playing numbers, particularly compared to a country like Wales, but Moore has bemoaned the way the system is set up, suggesting it is not making best use of the player base.
He feels that paying players in the third, fourth and fifth tiers of the game in England should not be allowed, insisting it rewards mediocrity and drains resources of clubs on players who are not good enough.
"English rugby is wasting millions of pounds on players who are simply not good enough," he wrote. "The maximum total payments to players are set at £250,000, £125,000 and £50,000 in levels three, four and five, respectively, and they have effectively become what a club need to spend to play at that level. Think what that yearly spend could achieve, rather than use players who are not good enough.
Moore also calls for professional players to be centrally contracted and a minimum quota of England-qualified players in their teams.
He said: "I doubt whether there is the altruism on either side for the good of the wider England game, but if there is not then England’s potential will never be fulfilled and success will be sporadic."
Rugby facing entertainment crisis Down Under
Rugby in Australia is currently in the midst of a scrap to adjust to the crackdown on foul play, with an inquest being launched into the state of the product in the country.
Super Rugby Pacific matches have been stop-start in nature and there are fears over the quality of what's on offer, particularly in such a crowded sporting market. Head coaches are becoming frustrated with what is being perceived as an overuse of the TMO and a protracted decision-making process.
Brumbies boss Dan McKellar said "it can be difficult to watch at times" while Queensland Reds boss Brad Thorn urged officials to "get on with it".
Meanwhile, Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos said: “We’ve got to make sure the product that’s out of the field is compelling. It’s not only sitting at the feet of officials, it’s also in how we’re approaching playing the game.
“We’re going to be getting together as a collective and drilling in how we get a better flow and shape to our game. The shape of the game is of primary concern”
