Madam, - The photographs of facial injuries to Eric Miller and Josh Lewsey were disturbing (Sport, June 17th). Outside the international rugby arena, such evidence would be cited in legal pursuit of alleged assailants.
Having participated in rugby at various levels, I accept the physical nature of the sport. What I cannot accept is the obvious consequence of steel studs being allowed to come into violent contact with human skin. Under civil law, this should never be allowed to happen and such behaviour ought to be treated as an assault.
The various rugby unions should display less macho-restraint and more genuine concern for their players at every level in the game.
Dare I say it? The "raking" of players must be "stamped out" immediately by the International Rugby Board. - Yours, etc.,
BARRY O'BRIEN,
Station Road,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.