Rugby ‘rotten from the core’

Former Ireland lock Dan Touhy has retired with a bang, airing fears that rugby is ‘‘starting to look like it’s rotten from the core’’.

The 34-year-old Touhy, who opened an 11-test career by playing the All Blacks in New Plymouth in 2010, has been forced out with an arm injury while playing for Vannes in France’s second division that has required nine operations.

Touhy delivered an emotional farewell statement on his Twitter account, admitting it wasn’t the usual one where players say ‘‘how they’ve loved every second’’.

‘‘The truth for me is I haven’t,’’ he said.

‘‘The praise part that usually follows such an announcement is normally a welcomed ego boost by the retiree but it doesn’t sit comfortably with me, so spare yourself.’’

While the trappings of professional sport meant it could be a ‘‘dream job’’, time has soured that for Touhy who has played for Bristol Bears, Gloucester Rugby, Ireland A, Leicester Tigers, Munster, Stade Francais, Ulster and Ireland during a long career.

‘‘It’s starting to look like it’s rotten from the core and I’ve a real fear that the values that made me fall for rugby have nearly disappeared,’’ he wrote.

‘‘Integrity and loyalty is a thing of the past, even a simple gesture of looking

Eddie Jones thinks it shouldn’t happen, New Zealand insists it can’t happen, and tournament organisers say there’s no sign of it happening.

The possibility of the European Six Nations rugby tournament expanding to include world champions South Africa would be a game-changer for both the northern and southern hemispheres.

The UK’s Daily Mail reported last weekend that negotiations have taken place that will lead to the Springboks joining a new championship in 2024. It would contain seven nations, with England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy already competing.

It would also mean South Africa leaving the four-nation Rugby

Dan Touhy

someone in the eye has gone, you’ve to have thick skin in this game. Rugby is a business people – need to always remember that.

Championship in the southern hemisphere, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

England coach Jones has advised against any tinkering of the format of what he called ‘‘the greatest rugby tournament in the world’’.

‘‘Why would you want to add other teams that are going to decrease the level of competition,’’ the Australian said, using the expansion of Super Rugby from 12 teams to its current number of 15 as a cautionary tale.

‘‘I can only talk from experience,’’ Jones added. ‘‘Super Rugby was the golden egg of rugby – brilliant, 12 teams, competitive. As soon as it had gone to 14 and 15, it had lost its allure.’’

‘‘I had grown sick and tired of the preseason goalsetting of honesty and respect being brandished around only to be broken almost straight away by the same people preaching it.’’

Despite his negative departure, he still liked to look back on the good times.

‘‘As a professional you get paid well, the lifestyle is class – all the bulls... aside it really is a dream job,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve travelled the world met some great people that now have become lifelong friends, memories that can never be taken away and some amazing nights out, and really that’s what it’s all about.’’

‘‘I’ve a real fear that the values that made me fall for rugby have nearly disappeared.’’