The citing commissioner, the vastly experienced Eugene Ryan, interviewed both players and also studied all available video footage. But he could not find conclusive evidence of spitting. It must have been like trying to find rugby\u2019s equivalent of a needle in a haystack. Barron confirmed the allegation to Ryan: that the Lions\u2019 number six, Sibabalwe Mahashe, had spat into his mouth. This was categorically denied by Mahashe, who said he was having a problem with his mouthguard. With no hard evidence, Ryan could not cite. <\/p>\n
Spitting, of course, does not occur often and is not as painful as other forms of horrible foul play, such as biting or eye gouging. But it has exactly the same effect. It brings the game into total disrepute, tossing the sport into the nearest available sewer. <\/p>\n
If ever Munster<\/a> have dug as deeply into their reserves, both in actual personnel and in their play, then it hasn\u2019t been for quite some time \u2013 they were terrific last Saturday. Whether it was with 15, 14 or even 13 players, they brought the fight to their opponents, producing a vital victory which avoids the spectre of missing out on the Champions Cup<\/a> next season. <\/p>\n The number of injuries in a squad is not an issue confined to Munster. All professional teams persistently have a long list of players who are crocked. A figure of 27 per cent regular unavailability was mentioned to me recently. That is high but all too believable. The game demands maximum physical force continuously for 80 minutes. Week in, week out. <\/p>\n The human body was hardly designed, or constructed, to absorb such levels of punishment. A case in point is Oli Jager, a much-needed Munster front-row asset. He has suffered a lot from concussion and, wisely, is taking time off to consider his future. He may be familiar with the old adage, \u201cif there\u2019s doubt, there is no doubt\u201d.<\/p>\n In Ulster, the result once again went down to the wire and there\u2019s yet another huge match approaching in the Challenge Cup final. Matthew Carley will be the referee and I\u2019m sure the excellent Richie Murphy has done his homework on the team of officials. <\/p>\n Glasgow were clearly the better team against Ulster last Friday. They had their final try checked for potential obstruction in the build-up. At first look, it appeared that the home team had a good case. However, Gianluca Gnecchi didn\u2019t take long to confirm the vital try. On review, there was nothing clear and obvious enough to chalk off it off. <\/p>\n As now happens in all matches, players continue to burden referees with non-stop, incessant queries. The dark art has now progressed to players picking specific incidents as they try to persuade the referee to check this or that with the TMO. At one point at Affidea Stadium last Friday, it seemed Gnecchi would do Glasgow\u2019s bidding and he was put under unacceptable pressure. One way or another, this has got to be stopped.<\/p>\n Generally, I am not in favour of protocols, but I have to wonder if it is reaching the point where it might be better to write it all down; as to how, why and when captains are allowed to bring up issues with the referee. Too few referees have the gumption of Nigel Owens, who famously told Richie McCaw not to approach him again. Very politely, he informed the New Zealand captain that if anything more needed to be said that he, Owens, would go to him \u2013 not the other way around.<\/p>\n![\"Referee](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/RC4362F2H3ZIV4HO23KLDQZPWQ.jpg\")
Referee Gianluca Gnecchi was right not to chalk off Glasgow Warriors’ final try against Ulster at Affidea Stadium, Belfast, last Friday. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n