Paul Kimmage: Rugby has to face up to its growing pains

Pic: Laurent Benezech

The first game of the year, against Castres, left a lasting impression on our physical trainer, Nicolas Foulquier.

In essence we got bullied by a bigger forward pack, who wore us down up front. Individually, each player seemed to have the advantage of a few kilograms of muscle and we felt it every time we were in contact. Given that rugby is a contact sport, this is a problem. There are two solutions – either you can buy bigger players, or you can enlarge the existing ones.

(John Daniell, ‘Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary’)

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Dani Allan was alone that morning when the bell sounded at the gate. It was a beautiful sunny Friday in June 2013; Laurent was at work, the kids were at school and as she descended to the foot of the garden and pulled back the gate she expected the postman or one of the neighbours. A woman – petite, casually dressed, late-30s – had stepped from a car and was holding a wedge of papers……………….. see more at :- http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/paul-kimmage-rugby-has-to-face-up-to-its-growing-pains-30766512.html