Letter: Sour grapes

Sir: Mr Pearce's letter (Sports Letters, 18 February) regarding the inadequate standard of refereeing is clearly founded upon sour grapes rather than from an objective assessment of the French referee's capabilities in handling the Wales v England match. A Welshman may well have scored a legitimate try for England, but the referee was in an excellent position to make a decision, and in fact enjoyed a remarkably good debut considering the emotions this match always generates. The referee was technically competent and allowed the match to develop as far as the current laws allow. Mr Pearce really should look at other avenues to blame for England's defeat, rather than whinge about a competent referee.

Yours faithfully,

M L JOHN

Pennorth,

Powys

19 February