IT may well be a fact that some WRU referees view a visit to the Lewis Lloyd ground at Narberth with just a little trepidation.

Certainly, they are always given a very warm welcome by the crowd and are also offered plenty of advice from the touchline.

The honour of being the most vociferous and consistent critic must go to ardent Otters' supporter Richard Fanus.

While Richard would never question the referee's parentage or suggest what he does with his whistle - that would be abuse and would not be tolerated - he does, in spite of the fact that Welsh referees are sponsored by Specsavers, sometimes offer an opinion on the quality of their eyesight or maybe the possibility of an apparent gap between the ears. And always, of course, backed up by his own interpretation of the rules when it differs from that of the referee.

It is all part of the colourful rugby scene at Narberth and his comments often help to enliven a boring game on a bleak Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter.

Next season he will be able to offer advice with even more authority as at the recent Otters' Awards Evening, Richard was presented with a copy of the WRU Rulebook by All Blacks star Justin Marshall, on behalf of Richard's admirers (both of them!) - an event greeted with much amusement and approval by the, nearly 200, supporters present.

Even now, it is possible that he is enthusiastically and diligently poring over the pages in enthusiastic and eager anticipation of the new season.