John Ryan could have been forgiven had he likened coaching the Wales rugby team of the late Eighties to steering Titanic after the iceberg.
His appointment as head coach in 1988 coincided with a host of outstanding players like Jonathan Davies, John Devereux and Paul Moriarty transferring to rugby league.
The Welsh Rugby Union then became engulfed in a scandal over senior members flying off to South Africa on a freebie in defiance of their Union's anti-apartheid policy.
It created a state of paranoia which led to tales of the Big Five selectors examining pot plants and other foliage for hidden bugs.
Such antics amused Ryan, a customs officer of unfailing humour, whose name is forever enshrined in Newport history as the coaching architect of their famous Welsh Cup final defeat of favourites Cardiff in 1977.
Thirteen years later, he gave up coaching Wales after losing 34-6 to Will Carling's England. An honourable man who took the honourable way out.
John Ryan died a few days ago, aged 83. The Rugby Paper sends its condolences to his family and friends.
