Sir, – I wish to agree absolutely with the sentiments expressed by Robert Bates on the present state of rugby (January 8th). It has indeed come to resemble rugby league rather than rugby union. (No offence meant to rugby league which is a distinct game of its own and that’s fair enough).
Nowadays, unfortunately, we no longer see sweeping movements up the length of the field involving backs and forwards.
Gone are the days of such great play by such players as Mike Gibson, Tom Grace, Barry John, Gerald Davies and many others.
I would advise rugby followers of today to watch a video of the Barbarians v New Zealand match of January 27th, 1973. Then they would realise how much more open and exciting rugby was a generation ago compared to nowadays. – Yours, etc,