Coach snubbed in end-of-season awards despite 100% record

Ealing won 26 games out of 26 in the regular Elior Champ season and are heavy favourites to complete a hat-trick of titles, yet Director of Rugby Ben Ward has been overlooked for the division’s Coach of the Year award.

The West London club finished a whopping 30 points clear of the chasing pack, led by Bedford, and now face Worcester at home in this weekend’s play-off semi-finals.

The other semi-final pits together old rivals Bedford and Coventry, who have been expertly coached by Mike Rayer and Alex Rae, respectively, with former Northampton forward Rae having beaten Ward to the accolade.

The Coach of the Year award was chosen by pundits and commentators working for Clubber TV, the streaming service that added considerable value to Champ Rugby with its extensive coverage of the league.

And while Coventry had a fine season, finishing in third and scoring over 1,000 points in the process, the fact that Ward hasn’t walked away with the award has baffled rugby fans, who took to social media to express their surprise.

Posting on X, Kevin Jones said: “Good for him (Rae) but Ben Ward has taken Ealing to 26 unbeaten games,” he said, before signing off with a shrug emoji.

And while former Champ winger Elijah Niko congratulated Rae and said “well deserved”, the majority of posts on Instagram felt Ward had been robbed.

A puzzled Jim Hodges wrote: “Ealing go undefeated all season and look set to win the play offs but it goes to Coventry?”  Paul Rossborough – who has Coventry connections – joined the chorus of disbelievers. “How is it not Ben Ward?” he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, former Bedford Blues player Joel Matavasi, had an altogether different take: “Mental how it’s not Mike Rayer!”

Chinnor’s Nick Easter was also named in dispatches, after taking the Thame-based club into the play-offs.