Archive - Monday, 12 April 2004


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Connolly in appeal over citing

Bath coach John Connolly has called for the introduction of independent citing commissioners at all European matches following Saturday's fractious Parker Pen Challenge Cup clash.

The Australian revealed there were incidents which he would like to review and citings could follow, although he feels this should not be instigated by himself and appealed to ERC chiefs to take the procedure out of club hands.

He said: "We need a citing commissioner in European Cup games. It's absolutely crazy to leave it up to the clubs.

"There should be a citing commissioner at every match and he should look for foul play on a video tape when the game is over.

"There's one in the Zurich Premiership and that works well. There's also one for the Super 12s and in Test matches, so why there isn't one for European rugby is a mystery.

"I made this point two years ago and nothing has changed. The system should have evolved as the game went professional but it hasn't.

"We'll look at the tape. We have a duty to protect the players."

Whether the 14-point cushion will be enough to ensure progression to the final with a daunting second leg trip to France to come remains to be seen, but Connolly is bullish about his side's chances.

"Montferrand have a beautiful stadium and it won't be easy. The crowd will be right behind them and we'll have to play good, strong rugby," he said.

"It's Montferrand's only chance to secure Heineken Cup rugby, so they will go all out.

"There could be four or five changes to their side as well as they get injured players, so they might be stronger next time.

"But if we play good rugby we'll win, it's that simple. It doesn't matter whether it's home or away."

WEEKEND RESULTS

Heineken Cup

Quarter-Finals: Friday: Llanelli Scarelets 10 Biarritz 27; Saturday: Munster 37 Stade Francais 32, Toulouse 36 Edinburgh 10; Yesterday:

Parker Pen Challenge Cup Semi Final First Leg: Bath 29 Montferrand 15,

Parker Pen Shield Semi Final First Leg: Friday: Montpellier 45 Leonessa 12; Saturday: Rugby Parma 32 Viadana 42.

National League One: Bristol Henley Postponed, Coventry 18 Worcester 57, London Welsh 25 Bedford 30, Orrell 75 Manchester 22, Otley 38 Wakefield 11, Penzance/Newlyn 10 Exeter 42, Pertemps Bees 20 Plymouth Albion 23,