Drinking, Drinking and More Drinking?

Rugby’s Drinking Culture and Banning of Student Initiations.

Growing up when going to rugby games, its safe to say that drinking is certainly part of the rugby culture, pre-match, mid-match and post-match drinks are standard. I distinctly remember going to an Ireland v Scotland game at 14 years old and being offered a “wee schwigg” of a Scottish fan’s hip flask, being underage, like any good father would do, my Dad accepted on my behalf.

Rugby and drinking go hand in hand

Initiations.

When joining teams and the start of a new year, its widely accepted that student rugby teams get together socially as a bonding experience between the returning and new joining players, often called initiations. Often at these social gatherings drinking and games are involved. Having a short lived playing amateur career in Rugby, finishing by the age of 18, I didn’t get to experience initiations for a club or university team, and for that.. I am grateful.

Within weeks of arriving at University my faith in Rugby as a game played by gentlemen that taught morals and transferable life skills were diminished. Speaking with friends and family, I listened to stories of initiations at clubs and mostly universities, stories which sounded too far fetched to be true. I listened to stories of old boys forcing new players to eat live goldfish and drink their own vomit, mild tasks in comparison to tasks such as “through the forest” which are too degrading to even describe. If you know, you know. Initiations are no joke, a student of Newcastle University died due to excessive drinking in 2016 at an initiation.

“Initiations are Banned!”

The RFU have banned student Rugby initiations and are working with the universities and authorities to take action against the individuals responsible for initiations. The RFU are adamant to put a stop to the culture of initiations turning new players off of the game.

What do you think about Rugby Student initiations?

Bigger, Faster and Stronger!

Are Rugby Players Getting Too Big?

Growing up – without intentionally realising – the beautiful part of playing Rugby was that the game was accessible to everyone of all different shapes and sizes; traditionally from the bigger front row lads to the smaller no.9, to the slightly more slender whippets on the wing. There is a role for everyone on the rugby pitch from 1 to 15. As a prop forward, it was obvious the advantage of being bigger and stronger had on the field, particularly at the contact area. Watching modern day rugby players on TV, it’s evident that the traditional roles are changing, and that everyone on the field, is well… BIG!

Image sourced from zimbio – Shane Williams (left) retired Welsh international winger told he was “Too Small” to play rugby.

Over the years, advancements in sports science, technology, and nutrition have enabled athletes to better their predecessors; they are now bigger, faster and stronger than ever! But what does this mean for the rugby players of this world at the elite level?

“The Numbers speak for themselves…”

Comparing the statistics of past rugby players with current, the numbers are very telling. The average weight of an England player in 1994 was 92.3kg. The average weight of an England player in 2014 was 105.1kg. That’s a whole 2st 1lbs heavier!

Image sourced from offtheball.com – Indicates the average increase in size of players from 1987 to 2015 in their respective positions

“Bigger doesn’t always mean better!”

Bigger men colliding together means bigger injuries! In Rugby there is an increasing concern regarding the increase in the amount of injuries and particular emphasis on the rise in concussions at a whopping 400% in the last 10 years. Can this injury rate be attributed to the increasing size in player?

Image sourced from Wales Online – George North knocked unconscious during a game for Northampton Saints

When big George North entered the scene he crushed the traditional idea of a slender winger at a great size of 6ft 4inches and 109kg. Additionally the winger has highlighted the rising issue of the contact area, being concussed 5 times in the last 2 years and twice in one game!

Do the authorities in the world of rugby union have a greater duty to protect the players?