Allyson Pollock, professor of public health research and policy at Queen Mary University of London, is meddling with our game. For the second time in four years she is openly…
Rugby Rant
Rugby Rant: ‘Forwards rugby’ a drab spectacle
THE SIGHT of two colossal packs throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at each other is becoming all too common in the northern hemisphere. This year’s Six Nations was far from…
Rugby Rant: Coaches need to trust their captains
AH! BACK-SEAT drivers, don’t they get on your nerves? “Left here”, “It’s green”, “Slow down”. SHUT UP! Well, now we have our very own back-seat drivers in rugby, and they’re…
Rugby Rant: It’s time to revive the drop-goal
IT’S TEN years since Jonny Wilkinson helped net rugby’s greatest prize courtesy of a dramatic drop-goal. And it’s four years since the now retired Ronan O’Gara dropped a goal in…
Rugby Rant: Italy’s club game is dying!
ITALIAN RUGBY has sold its soul to the devil. In the name of high-level rugby, it has forgotten the club game. The development of players is now all in the…
Rugby Rant: Abusive tweets have no place in rugby
"WALKING AROUND the ground with my winners’ medal is something I shall never forget. I felt like a rock star.” These are the words of Sam Warburton after Wales’ 30-3…
Rugby Rant: Cut the canned atmosphere!
WHO DECIDED the vibrant and unique buzz of a Test-match atmosphere – the excitement, the anticipation, the singing, the explosions of joy, the revelry – was no longer good enough?…
Rugby Rant: Tip tackle rulings inconsistent
WITH CARDS flying as readily as they will on Valentine’s Day, the issue of officials and their interpretation of the ‘tip tackle’ is raising more than a few hackles. In…
Rugby Rant: Residency rule needs tightening up
THE SRU have generated negative headlines recently with their ‘project players’ – and I have to agree with them. Bringing players over from South Africa – or elsewhere – with…