Mowbrays condition.

Do you remember Keith Fahey and his mysterious "family problem" that meant him returning to Ireland. At the time I was convinced that we had a right to be given more details. As Daniel pointed out to me at the time, in no uncertain terms, I was wrong.

On here we're all pretty open with each other about our problems, health or other, but that's because we can trust each other to lend support and sympathy. It's one thing sharing with a group of six, it's another thing entirely sharing with tens of thousands of folk you've never met.

I'm sure that if Tony decided to share details of his condition he would receive massive sympathy and support, but he's already getting that anyway. There's an argument that if, as was the case with the King, he decided to publicise the nature of his illness then he would give much needed publicity to it and encourage folk to be aware of symptoms, treatment and so on.

But then everyone has the right to confidentiality when it comes to their health - whenever I write a rugby report which includes talking about injuries, unless it's obvious what the injury is (as in the case of the lad who broke his leg in a match a couple of years back) I don't think it's appropriate for me to give details of why a player is unavailable. It's his business, in my opinion.

I'm sure that more details will become available depending on the success or otherwise of Tony's treatment, but until then I wish him well and hope for a swift recovery.

Well that seems to indicate that it wasn't what I thought it might be - so it was a good job that I didn't join in with the speculation! 

GWS TM!