Cardiff capitulation a big worry

IT was difficult leaving Cork last Saturday afternoon given the magnificent autumnal sunshine and the twin attractions of a good old fashioned dogfight between Cork Con and Young Munster in the AIL followed by the seasonal offering of jazz. At least the alternative had its attractions.

Covering the RaboDirect clash between Leinster and the Cardiff Blues for RTÉ also had its merits, not least the quality of the respective back-lines. With potential Lions tourists everywhere, how would Jonny Sexton, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy match up to the case made for selection by Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny? Up front I was keen to monitor just how influential Sam Warburton, many people’s Lions’ captain in waiting — I confess that I am not one of them, for this tour at least — would be at this level.

What transpired was not only an embarrassment to the decorated history of the Cardiff club but has possibly even damaged the RaboDirect Pro12 itself.