Without digressing into an argument that scrapes the depths of the Hutton report, this article that appeared in the Western Mail yesterday seriously questions the independence of Scrum V and the levels of influence that Steve Lewis and his WRU committee holds over them.

As a great believer in the Beeb and the significance of truly impartial TV that does not have to rely on commercial exploitation, one has to truly question if Scrum V are doing their viewers a disserve or not, by allowing outsiders to dictate what they can and can’t say.

Whilst Butler may have meandered a little into the overly poetic in recent seasons, few would begrudge him as a fine commentator and articulate pundit in both spoken and published Word in the Guardian, as a former Wales captain there doesn’t seem to be a more suitable candidate.

In a similar ilk Gareth Thomas may not possess bags of charisma, but as an anchorman and interrogator there is at the moment nobody who can match him in Wales. Replacement Gareth Lewis has shown little to suggest that he will tow anything other than the party line, although in fairness to the pint sized presenter he has forged a good reputation on Radio Wales.

As a commercial enterprise the WRU have a right to some control over their product, however how long the clash between public and private sectors can go remains to be seen. As much as we all want rugby to stay available on the BBC, if they are being as heavily twisted over upcoming negotiations over a new contract, perhaps they may be better pressed to spend tax payers money elsewhere.

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