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Dragons staff member cops ban over incident with Ben Whitehouse
By Ian Cameron
A member of Dragons RFC's back room staff has been given a touchline ban following an incident with URC referee Ben Whitehouse.
Dragons RFC Head of Performance Dan Baugh found himself in the dock after an unsavoury incident with the Welsh referee, in which Whitehouse could be heard saying 'Don't touch me'.
During the Dragons RFC versus Ospreys Round 5 fixture last Saturday at Rodney Parade, Baugh touched the arm of Whitehouse "in a manner that was deemed to breach Championship Rule 4.13", which relates to how match officials are communicated with. Baugh's actions were deemed unsportsmanlike in nature.
Baugh has now been banned for four games with three suspended across the course of the 2023/24 season. The Dragons have also been fined.
A URC statement reads: "As a result The ban means that Mr Baugh is prohibited from being in the Playing Enclosures (Pitch & Technical) areas but can sit in the stand, enter the dressing room and/or the coaches box during for this weekend’s fixture between Dragons RFC and Hollywood Bets Sharks in Durban.
"Should Mr Baugh repeat this offence or any other action deemed as misconduct throughout the rest of the season he will have to serve the remaining three games of the ban. A fine of £2,500 will also be incurred by Mr Baugh in such a situation.
"Additionally, Dragons RFC have been sanctioned with a suspended £5,000 fine under Disciplinary Rule 3.3.5 which refers to a club’s duty to exercise reasonable and proper control over their players and staff.
"The United Rugby Championship has made it clear to its clubs and their match-day personnel and squads that unsporting or disrespectful behaviour towards match officials will not be tolerated. The league thanks Dragons RFC for their compliance and understanding during this process and believes that this is a rare and isolated incident that is out of character with the club’s positive reputation."
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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