WRU-turn in race row

Originally the governing body in Wales had refused to get involved, claiming that because the clubs considered the matter closed they could not investigate.

Since we exclusively revealed on Monday that Bonymaen prop Nigel Evans was behind the remarks we have been calling for the WRU to get involved, but now they have decided to investigate.

And following our revelations yesterday that the ban handed to the prop by his club was just 14 days, Newport Assembly member John Griffiths backed our campaign and wrote to the WRU demanding they take action.

"I'm very pleased that the Argus has taken this issue up because I think it's crucially important that a strong message is sent that racism won't be tolerated," said Griffiths "The punishment handed out to Evans is wholly inadequate, it sends out the message that racism isn't being taken with the seriousness it deserves.

"Racism has no place in our game and they (the WRU) must set a good example. "Where a player is guilty of racist abuse on the field, they must be dealt with openly, speedily and effectively."

After the original incident Newport and Bonymaen claimed the matter was being dealt with internally.

And only yesterday Newport chairman David Watkins said he considered the matter closed after receiving two letters of apology, one from Bonymaen chairman John Hague and another from the player himself.

This was despite Tonu'u insisting he did not want the matter 'swept under the carpet.' But a WRU spokesman told the Argus our campaign along with the realisation that Tonu'u was unhappy with the outcome of the incident had prompted a U-turn.

"The union had originally been assured that all parties were keen to resolve the situation without outside interference," said the spokesman.

"It is only today that we have officially been informed the player is unhappy over the incident. The union will now thoroughly investigate the matter."