Cheating, the oldest art

By Brian Dick on Aug 19, 09 10:46 AM in Rugby

There's been a lot of hand-wringing and soul searching in the fall out from Bloodgate and the subsequent ban dished out to Dean Richards.

I, like many people, am gobsmacked that Richards has involved himself in such shenanigans, though considerably less so that one of the leading professional clubs has been caught out.

The financial pressures placed on teams to win Heineken Cup and Premiership matches is always going to filter down to the coaching and playing staff and the temptation to do something underhand intensifies as the stakes become higher.

Richards' involvement is testament to that because in my experience, even as a frustrated Scotland fan when he used to deny us Grand Slams for fun - he has always demonstrated high integrity.

I have had the opportunity to interview the former England international on several occasions and he has always struck me as an intelligent and open person with an innate sense of what makes rugby special.

I recall the way he conducted himself when Harlequins came to Sharmans Cross Road on the first day of the 2005-06 season when it would have been easy to swan in, hand out a beating and be back on the bus by 5pm.

But the reality was the opposite. Yes 'Quins won but Richards knew his team, with the public's perception of its arrogance, would be under the microscope on the pitch and off it.

Everyone from the Stoop stayed behind, conducted themselves admirably and went on to make many, many friends during their National One campaign. Much of that was down to Richards.

So let's not kid ourselves that in outing Richards the boil has been lanced. Cheating and rugby go hand in hand.

We have all been at matches where there have been dubious blood injuries and we have all seen props take a dive to manufacture uncontested scrums.

Indeed rugby is a sport that dedicates a position to the best con-artists - step forward openside flankers.

Remember the Hand of Back? Yes I know Richards was in charge on that day too but we can't finger him for that one.
Ever heard the name Richie McCaw?
How do you think little Tom Smith survived in the front row for so long without recourse to the Dark Arts.

Richards is just the latest and possibly most craven example of coaches and players trying to steal an advantage. He was wrong to do it but let's not pretend he'll be the first or last.