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31
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Joe Simpson
« on: December 08, 2022, 02:17:33 PM »
After a 17 year career, scrum half Joe Simpson has announced his retirement from rugby.
Good luck for the future, Joe. I always enjoyed watching you play.
Good luck for the future, Joe. I always enjoyed watching you play.
32
Wasps Rugby Discussion / OT: Brian Moore Speaks the Truth!
« on: November 25, 2022, 04:05:35 PM »
Tweet today from BM:
Black Friday - bollocks.
Black Friday - bollocks.
33
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Lawrence in trouble with the Revenue?
« on: November 25, 2022, 09:47:27 AM »34
Wasps Rugby Discussion / OT. RIP Wilko Johnson.
« on: November 23, 2022, 12:26:24 PM »
One of the greats.
35
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wasps & Worcester women's teams to continue playing after getting RFU permission
« on: October 26, 2022, 05:18:18 PM »
Didn't know where to put this so I started a fresh thread.
From the Beeb.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63404621
From the Beeb.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63404621
36
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Leicester in talks to sign Charlie as rivals move for Alfie and Jack.
« on: October 18, 2022, 06:05:42 PM »
Much coveted fly-half is discussing a move to Welford Road while Bristol and Bordeaux are weighing up bids for Wasps' team-mates
From the Telegraph.
Leicester Tigers have opened talks with Charlie Atkinson over a deal that would take the Wasps fly-half to Mattioli Woods Welford Road this season.
Sources have indicated to Telegraph Sport that Leicester are monitoring the situations of three more of Wasps' senior players. Meanwhile, Bristol Bears have been linked with Jack Willis and Alfie Barbeary is known to have held discussions with at least three Premiership clubs as he weighs up the prospect of heading to France with Union Bordeaux Bègles .
Atkinson, only 21 years old and a bright young talent of English rugby, will be one of the most coveted members of the stricken Wasps squad, all of whom are looking for new jobs after being made redundant on Monday.
It is understood that Saracens is another potential destination, but joining the reigning Premiership champions ticks a lot of boxes. It would be a short move across the Midlands for him and would give Atkinson, who has been named by Eddie Jones in various England training camps, the chance to work under Steve Borthwick.
Reacting to Monday's announcement that Wasps had entered administration and all players and men's coaching staff had been made redundant, Atkinson said on Twitter: "Absolutely heartbroken with the news that’s come out today. The breakup of a family that meant so much to the whole Wasps community. Unbelievable players, staff and fans over the years that have helped create friendships and memories which will undoubtedly last a lifetime”
Handre Pollard, currently injured, and Freddie Burns are the two senior fly-halves at Tigers with the versatile Jimmy Gopperth having arrived from Wasps over the summer.
Burns is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and there is recent history of players coming to Leicester on short-term contracts before earning longer stays. Chris Ashton, picked up as a free agent, and Nic Dolly represent just two examples.
World Cup-winning conditioning guru Aled Walters is known to be a big draw for Leicester recruits, as is the opportunity to play in front of a packed crowd at Welford Road.
As far as Leicester’s salary cap space for Atkinson and any others, some will be freed up before Christmas with the departures of Nemani Nadolo and Bryce Hegarty, both of whom are travelling to Australia to play in Super Rugby with the Waratahs and Western Force, respectively.
Tigers, who contributed five players to Jones’ 36-man squad for the autumn internationals, will also receive salary-cap credits for their England contingent.
Atkinson, a combative and tough defender as well as a skilful playmaker with a dangerous running game, came through the Wasps academy and represented England at age-grade level.
Since making his Premiership debut for Wasps in August 2020 as a teenager, he gradually established himself as first-choice fly-half. Borthwick is fond of positional versatility and Atkinson is a capable full-back, too.
This so bloody sad but can you blame them? They're out of work with no income and it will keep their dreams alive. When I was out of work in the early 70s I tried just about everything - including going for an interview as a private detective! No, I didn't get it but I still wish I had
From the Telegraph.
Leicester Tigers have opened talks with Charlie Atkinson over a deal that would take the Wasps fly-half to Mattioli Woods Welford Road this season.
Sources have indicated to Telegraph Sport that Leicester are monitoring the situations of three more of Wasps' senior players. Meanwhile, Bristol Bears have been linked with Jack Willis and Alfie Barbeary is known to have held discussions with at least three Premiership clubs as he weighs up the prospect of heading to France with Union Bordeaux Bègles .
Atkinson, only 21 years old and a bright young talent of English rugby, will be one of the most coveted members of the stricken Wasps squad, all of whom are looking for new jobs after being made redundant on Monday.
It is understood that Saracens is another potential destination, but joining the reigning Premiership champions ticks a lot of boxes. It would be a short move across the Midlands for him and would give Atkinson, who has been named by Eddie Jones in various England training camps, the chance to work under Steve Borthwick.
Reacting to Monday's announcement that Wasps had entered administration and all players and men's coaching staff had been made redundant, Atkinson said on Twitter: "Absolutely heartbroken with the news that’s come out today. The breakup of a family that meant so much to the whole Wasps community. Unbelievable players, staff and fans over the years that have helped create friendships and memories which will undoubtedly last a lifetime”
Handre Pollard, currently injured, and Freddie Burns are the two senior fly-halves at Tigers with the versatile Jimmy Gopperth having arrived from Wasps over the summer.
Burns is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and there is recent history of players coming to Leicester on short-term contracts before earning longer stays. Chris Ashton, picked up as a free agent, and Nic Dolly represent just two examples.
World Cup-winning conditioning guru Aled Walters is known to be a big draw for Leicester recruits, as is the opportunity to play in front of a packed crowd at Welford Road.
As far as Leicester’s salary cap space for Atkinson and any others, some will be freed up before Christmas with the departures of Nemani Nadolo and Bryce Hegarty, both of whom are travelling to Australia to play in Super Rugby with the Waratahs and Western Force, respectively.
Tigers, who contributed five players to Jones’ 36-man squad for the autumn internationals, will also receive salary-cap credits for their England contingent.
Atkinson, a combative and tough defender as well as a skilful playmaker with a dangerous running game, came through the Wasps academy and represented England at age-grade level.
Since making his Premiership debut for Wasps in August 2020 as a teenager, he gradually established himself as first-choice fly-half. Borthwick is fond of positional versatility and Atkinson is a capable full-back, too.
This so bloody sad but can you blame them? They're out of work with no income and it will keep their dreams alive. When I was out of work in the early 70s I tried just about everything - including going for an interview as a private detective! No, I didn't get it but I still wish I had
37
Wasps Rugby Discussion / 'We're all sad, we're all angry, including me' - Stephen Vaughan.
« on: October 17, 2022, 06:05:26 PM »
Exclusive from Bobby Bridge.
Here's a full transcript of a one-on-one I had with Wasps CEO Stephen Vaughan this afternoon - discussing today's meeting, administration and what happens next
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-exclusive-were-sad-were-25286268
I thought it better to have this in a fresh thread as it might get lost elsewhere. Sorry if people don't agree with me.
Here's a full transcript of a one-on-one I had with Wasps CEO Stephen Vaughan this afternoon - discussing today's meeting, administration and what happens next
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-exclusive-were-sad-were-25286268
I thought it better to have this in a fresh thread as it might get lost elsewhere. Sorry if people don't agree with me.
38
Wasps Rugby Discussion / 36 Provisiomal England Squad - If Anyone's Interested.
« on: October 17, 2022, 11:41:40 AM »
Forwards
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tom Curry
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Jonny Hill
Maro Itoje
Courtney Lawes
Lewis Ludlam
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd
Sam Simmonds
Kyle Sinckler
Jack Singleton
Hugh Tizard (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola
Mako Vunipola
Jack Willis
Backs
Henry Arundell
Joe Cokanasiga
Owen Farrell
Max Malins
George Furbank
Will Joseph
Jonny May
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Nowell
Guy Porter
Raffi Quirke
Marcus Smith
Freddie Steward
Manu Tuilagi
Jack van Poortlviet
Ben Youngs
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Jamie George, Sam Jeffries, Nick Isiekwe, Harry Randall, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Jack Walker.
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tom Curry
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Jonny Hill
Maro Itoje
Courtney Lawes
Lewis Ludlam
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd
Sam Simmonds
Kyle Sinckler
Jack Singleton
Hugh Tizard (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola
Mako Vunipola
Jack Willis
Backs
Henry Arundell
Joe Cokanasiga
Owen Farrell
Max Malins
George Furbank
Will Joseph
Jonny May
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Nowell
Guy Porter
Raffi Quirke
Marcus Smith
Freddie Steward
Manu Tuilagi
Jack van Poortlviet
Ben Youngs
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Jamie George, Sam Jeffries, Nick Isiekwe, Harry Randall, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Jack Walker.
39
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Ross Neal retires aged 26 after 'concussion symptoms' struggle.
« on: October 17, 2022, 07:48:04 AM »
More sad news.
Report from Bobby Bridge.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-saracens-back-ross-25278490
Report from Bobby Bridge.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-saracens-back-ross-25278490
40
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Jones to lose England defence coach Anthony Seibold.
« on: October 13, 2022, 04:00:26 PM »
Report in the Daily Telegraph.
Less than a year to go to the RWC.
Eddie Jones is preparing to lose another defence coach in Anthony Seibold less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup in a blow to England’s preparations.
Seibold, who is based in Australia and due to fly over to London in the coming days to prepare for England's autumn Tests, has been heavily linked with a move to take charge of National Rugby League side Manly Sea Eagles, who sacked their head coach Des Hasler on Thursday.
Club owner Scott Penn discussed Seibold in an interview with Fox Sports, saying:
“Anthony has been at the club before, he demonstrated phenomenal intellect, he’s a great tactician, he’s really good with the players and he’s shown he’s got credentials as a head coach.
“We’re still working through our pathway whether that’s assistant to start or the full process but right now we have identified him as someone we’re very interested in and someone who certainly had a few false starts himself but he’s very capable and would do a tremendous job.”
Losing Seibold with such little time to prepare for the World Cup will undoubtedly make Jones’s challenge to end England’s 20-year wait for a second World Cup triumph, with only the five Six Nations games and four warm-up matches left for any replacement to imprint their defensive style.
A spokesperson for the Rugby Football Union informed Telegraph Sport that Seibold is expected to be with England for the autumn Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Seibold was previously a coach with the Broncos and Rabbitohs before joining Jones' England coaching staff in September last year, following the departure of John Mitchell.
Losing another assistant coach so close to the start of the Rugby World Cup would be a blow for Jones in his final year in charge of England. Mitchell was preceded by Paul Gustard, who left the defence coach role after their 2018 summer tour to join Harlequins and is now with Stade Français.
Immediately available replacements for Seibold after the autumn would include Nick Easter, the defence coach who has recently left Worcester Warriors. Jones' current coaching staff also includes forwards coaches Richard Cockerill and Matt Proudfoot and attack coach Martin Gleeson.
It must be an absolute treat to work with EJ. People just can't wait to jump ship.
Less than a year to go to the RWC.
Eddie Jones is preparing to lose another defence coach in Anthony Seibold less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup in a blow to England’s preparations.
Seibold, who is based in Australia and due to fly over to London in the coming days to prepare for England's autumn Tests, has been heavily linked with a move to take charge of National Rugby League side Manly Sea Eagles, who sacked their head coach Des Hasler on Thursday.
Club owner Scott Penn discussed Seibold in an interview with Fox Sports, saying:
“Anthony has been at the club before, he demonstrated phenomenal intellect, he’s a great tactician, he’s really good with the players and he’s shown he’s got credentials as a head coach.
“We’re still working through our pathway whether that’s assistant to start or the full process but right now we have identified him as someone we’re very interested in and someone who certainly had a few false starts himself but he’s very capable and would do a tremendous job.”
Losing Seibold with such little time to prepare for the World Cup will undoubtedly make Jones’s challenge to end England’s 20-year wait for a second World Cup triumph, with only the five Six Nations games and four warm-up matches left for any replacement to imprint their defensive style.
A spokesperson for the Rugby Football Union informed Telegraph Sport that Seibold is expected to be with England for the autumn Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Seibold was previously a coach with the Broncos and Rabbitohs before joining Jones' England coaching staff in September last year, following the departure of John Mitchell.
Losing another assistant coach so close to the start of the Rugby World Cup would be a blow for Jones in his final year in charge of England. Mitchell was preceded by Paul Gustard, who left the defence coach role after their 2018 summer tour to join Harlequins and is now with Stade Français.
Immediately available replacements for Seibold after the autumn would include Nick Easter, the defence coach who has recently left Worcester Warriors. Jones' current coaching staff also includes forwards coaches Richard Cockerill and Matt Proudfoot and attack coach Martin Gleeson.
It must be an absolute treat to work with EJ. People just can't wait to jump ship.
41
Wasps Rugby Discussion / 'Miserable & desperate' - ex Wasps players and pundits on club's demise
« on: October 13, 2022, 08:23:51 AM »
From Bobby Bridge.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/miserable--desperate-ex-wasps-25249651
Bobby himself tweeted.
While I appreciate folk checking in on me, this is my job, the highs&lows, I still get paid at end of the month & I’ll get to do it tomorrow. There’s a group of men&women, teens to 60s, living in the real world financially, who have been hit hard. My thoughts are with them #wasps
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/miserable--desperate-ex-wasps-25249651
Bobby himself tweeted.
While I appreciate folk checking in on me, this is my job, the highs&lows, I still get paid at end of the month & I’ll get to do it tomorrow. There’s a group of men&women, teens to 60s, living in the real world financially, who have been hit hard. My thoughts are with them #wasps
42
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Jacob.
« on: October 12, 2022, 12:42:15 PM »
Bobby has tweeted:
Jacob Umaga has received a three week ban. The matches he will miss are to be determined following confirmation by the club as to when he is fit to return to play.
Jacob Umaga has received a three week ban. The matches he will miss are to be determined following confirmation by the club as to when he is fit to return to play.
43
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Simon Halliday’s manifesto for reform of ‘dysfunctional’ English rugby
« on: October 11, 2022, 05:24:45 PM »
In today's Times.
After Worcester fiasco, former England player tells Alex Lowe how sport he loves can be saved
Simon Halliday took a call last week from a bank seeking his advice on the opportunities within rugby. As a former England player and experienced rugby administrator who also spent 35 years working in finance, Halliday is uniquely placed to assess the rugby landscape.
He has just finished a six-year stint as chairman of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), having been on the boards of Bath, the RFU Championship and Esher, spent a decade on the RFU council and sat on Club England, the forerunner to the Professional Game Board (PGB).
Halliday positioned the sport to his banker friends as a value stock, a business with a lot of underlying value that was not being realised. But for rugby to unlock that potential, he believes changes must be made.
At the elite end, Halliday believes the Worcester Warriors fiasco and unfolding crisis at Wasps the result of a “dysfunctional system” and a “warning signal” that must be heeded by the RFU and Premiership Rugby (PRL).
He would create a joint venture between the clubs and the professional arm of the RFU, forming one standalone organisation empowered to run England, the Premiership and the Championship. In doing so, Halliday would end the influence of volunteers from the community game on the business of professional rugby.
Part two of Halliday’s manifesto is more painful, more personal. Despite his life-long love affair with the sport, he does not want his children playing rugby; not until he believes the authorities have taken meaningful action to make the game safer.
English Rugby LTD
Work has begun on the next club-country agreement, with both sides promising greater alignment than ever. But Halliday, who played a key role in striking the first club-country deal in 2008, believes the only way forward is for the RFU and PRL to form one organisation that runs professional rugby in England.
“I was asked in 2010, ‘Do you think the professional and amateur game should separate?’ I have no doubt that needs to happen,” Halliday says.
“You have got to break down whatever barriers there are to making good decisions. The structure does not allow for great decisions to be made, that is self evident. It is dysfunctional. The basis on which we are deciding things is adversarial.
“The Professional Game Board incorporates the RFU, the Premiership, the Championship and the players. It has become a political body whereas it should have been taking great decisions on behalf of the elite game in the context of the whole game.
“The chairman is Phil de Glanville. Why would you not super power that group and make the executive chairman the most important job in rugby union in this country?
“From an RFU perspective, the sooner they create a professional piece of their organisation and staff it beyond just Conor O’Shea [the director of performance rugby], the better — or we are all asking for trouble.”
The RFU council has final sign-off on major structural issues relating to the professional game in England, such as promotion and relegation in the Premiership.
“I was on the council for ten years and I know how valuable they are to the community game — but that is their area of expertise. They don’t want to be sitting there with the woes of the professional game in their in-tray,” Halliday says.
Halliday believes that creating one executive organisation would allow the clubs and England to pull in the same direction and forge more trust. In France, all clubs must open their books and prove they have a business plan that will get them through the season, avoiding a repeat of the Worcester situation.
“There has never been an open books policy for anyone, the RFU or Premiership Rugby, to ask, ‘What is your financial position? Are you sustainable? If you are in trouble will you tell us?’
“I sat on the Championship committee and the relationship with the RFU was appalling and it still is. None of the clubs have had any meaningful interaction with the RFU. They don’t know who to talk to.
“We need to create a group that makes sure it knows it is one game at the professional level. Rugby has all these structures that they have set up over the years — and now is the time to unwind it and change.”
The right side of history
Halliday is not affiliated to Progressive Rugby, the pressure group that lobbies for “better protection for players to ensure the game continues to thrive”, but he endorses all they stand for: mandatory controls on contact training, strict enforcement of a lower tackle height, fewer games, fewer tactical replacements and longer stand-down periods for concussion.
Hundreds of former players, including Steve Thompson and Ryan Jones, are suing World Rugby, the RFU and WRU for negligence after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
“They don’t want to take the game down, they want the game to listen, they want the game to change. It’s quite difficult within the dysfunctional structures that exist to make it happen. It can only be pressure, and it can only be people speaking out,” Halliday says.
“I know what side of history I want to be on. I’ve had so much pleasure out of the last 10, 15, 20 years, but it’s tinged with such regret with how we have allowed the game to change.
“Take it back to how it used to be: remove the stamping, the kicking and gouging, which doesn’t happen anymore anyway, and you have got the cleanest, most wonderful game.
“What we have replaced that with is in some cases thuggery, which is doing real damage. I had to deal with roughness but the hits people take now are frightening.
“We need to go back to the future. Take contact out of the training. Forcibly stop high tackles. Put a line on the jersey if you have to. The jackal is creating a lot of injuries.
“The current group of players are scared for their future because they have had so many head injuries. They don’t say anything because it is their jobs.
“We have got to deal with it. It is up to us. The narrative has to change from administrators so the school gate is not full of people saying, ‘I am not putting my son through that’.
“Let’s bring some joy back into the game. I want all three of my little ones playing rugby but I will not have them knocked around because head impacts are accepted as part of the game.
“Rugby is the heart and soul of who I am — and I am seeing the game I know turn into something else, being kicked around by administrators.”
After Worcester fiasco, former England player tells Alex Lowe how sport he loves can be saved
Simon Halliday took a call last week from a bank seeking his advice on the opportunities within rugby. As a former England player and experienced rugby administrator who also spent 35 years working in finance, Halliday is uniquely placed to assess the rugby landscape.
He has just finished a six-year stint as chairman of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), having been on the boards of Bath, the RFU Championship and Esher, spent a decade on the RFU council and sat on Club England, the forerunner to the Professional Game Board (PGB).
Halliday positioned the sport to his banker friends as a value stock, a business with a lot of underlying value that was not being realised. But for rugby to unlock that potential, he believes changes must be made.
At the elite end, Halliday believes the Worcester Warriors fiasco and unfolding crisis at Wasps the result of a “dysfunctional system” and a “warning signal” that must be heeded by the RFU and Premiership Rugby (PRL).
He would create a joint venture between the clubs and the professional arm of the RFU, forming one standalone organisation empowered to run England, the Premiership and the Championship. In doing so, Halliday would end the influence of volunteers from the community game on the business of professional rugby.
Part two of Halliday’s manifesto is more painful, more personal. Despite his life-long love affair with the sport, he does not want his children playing rugby; not until he believes the authorities have taken meaningful action to make the game safer.
English Rugby LTD
Work has begun on the next club-country agreement, with both sides promising greater alignment than ever. But Halliday, who played a key role in striking the first club-country deal in 2008, believes the only way forward is for the RFU and PRL to form one organisation that runs professional rugby in England.
“I was asked in 2010, ‘Do you think the professional and amateur game should separate?’ I have no doubt that needs to happen,” Halliday says.
“You have got to break down whatever barriers there are to making good decisions. The structure does not allow for great decisions to be made, that is self evident. It is dysfunctional. The basis on which we are deciding things is adversarial.
“The Professional Game Board incorporates the RFU, the Premiership, the Championship and the players. It has become a political body whereas it should have been taking great decisions on behalf of the elite game in the context of the whole game.
“The chairman is Phil de Glanville. Why would you not super power that group and make the executive chairman the most important job in rugby union in this country?
“From an RFU perspective, the sooner they create a professional piece of their organisation and staff it beyond just Conor O’Shea [the director of performance rugby], the better — or we are all asking for trouble.”
The RFU council has final sign-off on major structural issues relating to the professional game in England, such as promotion and relegation in the Premiership.
“I was on the council for ten years and I know how valuable they are to the community game — but that is their area of expertise. They don’t want to be sitting there with the woes of the professional game in their in-tray,” Halliday says.
Halliday believes that creating one executive organisation would allow the clubs and England to pull in the same direction and forge more trust. In France, all clubs must open their books and prove they have a business plan that will get them through the season, avoiding a repeat of the Worcester situation.
“There has never been an open books policy for anyone, the RFU or Premiership Rugby, to ask, ‘What is your financial position? Are you sustainable? If you are in trouble will you tell us?’
“I sat on the Championship committee and the relationship with the RFU was appalling and it still is. None of the clubs have had any meaningful interaction with the RFU. They don’t know who to talk to.
“We need to create a group that makes sure it knows it is one game at the professional level. Rugby has all these structures that they have set up over the years — and now is the time to unwind it and change.”
The right side of history
Halliday is not affiliated to Progressive Rugby, the pressure group that lobbies for “better protection for players to ensure the game continues to thrive”, but he endorses all they stand for: mandatory controls on contact training, strict enforcement of a lower tackle height, fewer games, fewer tactical replacements and longer stand-down periods for concussion.
Hundreds of former players, including Steve Thompson and Ryan Jones, are suing World Rugby, the RFU and WRU for negligence after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
“They don’t want to take the game down, they want the game to listen, they want the game to change. It’s quite difficult within the dysfunctional structures that exist to make it happen. It can only be pressure, and it can only be people speaking out,” Halliday says.
“I know what side of history I want to be on. I’ve had so much pleasure out of the last 10, 15, 20 years, but it’s tinged with such regret with how we have allowed the game to change.
“Take it back to how it used to be: remove the stamping, the kicking and gouging, which doesn’t happen anymore anyway, and you have got the cleanest, most wonderful game.
“What we have replaced that with is in some cases thuggery, which is doing real damage. I had to deal with roughness but the hits people take now are frightening.
“We need to go back to the future. Take contact out of the training. Forcibly stop high tackles. Put a line on the jersey if you have to. The jackal is creating a lot of injuries.
“The current group of players are scared for their future because they have had so many head injuries. They don’t say anything because it is their jobs.
“We have got to deal with it. It is up to us. The narrative has to change from administrators so the school gate is not full of people saying, ‘I am not putting my son through that’.
“Let’s bring some joy back into the game. I want all three of my little ones playing rugby but I will not have them knocked around because head impacts are accepted as part of the game.
“Rugby is the heart and soul of who I am — and I am seeing the game I know turn into something else, being kicked around by administrators.”
44
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Vote for Charlie - Premiership Try of The Week
« on: October 10, 2022, 04:37:43 PM »
https://www.premiershiprugby.com/watch/vote-now-for-the-famous-grouse-try-of-the-week
Unfortunately two of the rest are Saints
Unfortunately two of the rest are Saints