WE are all hostages to fortune at times, which is where Nigel Wray found himself as events unfolded during Saracens' 15-6 European Cup win over Munster a week ago.
The Saracens chairman paid fulsome tribute to Munster in his programme piece, remarking how impressed he was on his first visit to Thomond Park. In particular, he recalled the match announcer asking the crowd to remain silent when kickers from both sides were going for goal, with the exhortation to their home supporters, “remember who we are, we are men of Munster”.
Wray added, “Great stuff, and they've kept those manners”. Little did he know he would be given a graphic reminder how far those manners had slipped when Munster doctor Jamie Kearns made a derogatory comment to Saracens hooker Jamie George about his weight.
Cue mayhem, because, as George remonstrated with the Munster medic, a mass melee ensued among the players.
Despite the insult being described as “horrible” by Saracens DoR Mark McCall, Saracens took the high ground in the manners stakes. McCall says Saracens will not be taking any further action in terms of a formal complaint because Kearns apologised to George afterwards.
