Leaders by example

Rugby union leaders bang on about players not adapting to the professional era, but last week produced embarrassing evidence that this attitude starts at the top. The televised draw for the Welsh Rugby Union's Principality Cup made hilarious watching. The names of Swansea and Llanelli were left out, and Ebbw Vale and Newbridge had two ties each.

Although this was obvious, the officials carried on manfully as if nothing had happened and the programme was closed, leaving the viewers totally baffled. It turned out to be the fault of BBC Wales, but why would the WRU allow someone else to organise their draw? They were much better off when they fiddled it in private.

But that was harmless compared with the farce surrounding England's Powergen Cup semi-finals, which the Rugby Football Union wanted to stage back-to-back at the Madejski Stadium – the home of London Irish.

Unfortunately, Irish reached the semis, whereupon Harlequins, who also got through, said that they would not be happy playing a "neutral" game on their opponents' ground.

A very understandable point, and one which caused the RFU to say that they would proceed with their plan only if Irish were drawn at home. This would have meant three semi-finalists playing away and the other at home. As it happened, Quins were drawn at home to Irish, so the whole plan was scrapped. Now Quins have the home advantage they were so reluctant to let Irish to enjoy. That's all right, then.

If the idea of both semis being played at a neutral ground is a good one, and I believe it is, then it makes sense to wait until the semi-finalists are decided before choosing it. The result of this cock-up is that far fewer spectators will be able to see each semi, and vital revenue will be lost to one and all.

It could be that the game doesn't need the money. It certainly seemed so when an official Six Nations press conference staged by sponsors Lloyds TSB was snubbed by England and Wales. Coaches from the other four countries managed to get there from Italy, France, Scotland and Ireland, but the two nearest did not. England's Clive Woodward was only 30 miles away, while his Welsh counterpart, Graham Henry, was within two hours' drive.

They both claimed to be busy preparing their squads for the opening games. Each sent an injured player to deputise for them, which added to the insult that had the sponsors fuming.

Since both organisations have more coaches than Wallace Arnold, their excuses are too slim for anyone in the game to be comfortable with this lack of a proper commercial attitude. On Friday, the RFU were still insisting that it was perfectly proper for their man not to be there.

A punch-up for the cameras might have been out of the question, but a few intelligent words about the upcoming tournament would have given a firmer impression of their professionalism.