Madam, - As a "scrum victim" of 12 years, I was interested in the article "Set-piece thinking must be updated" (Sports, May 31st).
As an experienced hooker with 11 years' experience, I sustained serious spinal injuries in 1994, when I failed to position my head under my opposing hooker's shoulder. I had successfully positioned my neck in thousands of scrums previously.
I am now a permanent wheelchair user who needs life-long care.
I regret daily not being able to play rugby, walk, run about with my two young girls, drive, dress myself or dance. Yet I don't regret and never have for a minute regretted playing in the most aggressive, competitive and tactical (ask Jerry Flannery) position on the field of rugby.
Every sport and pastime has an element of risk and perhaps this risk is what fuels a passion for the game. Rugby is a very physical, aggressive sport and without its full contest in the front row, the scrum would be demeaned.
By all means I agree with increasing insurance cover to match the risks, and coaching and monitoring scrums more intensely, but I couldn't agree with uncontested scrums. The whole idea is a contradiction in terms and it belittles the players numbered 1, 2 and 3, who ply their trade in the bear-pit every week. Ask them what they would prefer. "An honest contest," would be their reply. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN GLYNN, Kennel Hill, Mallow, Co Cork.