Rugby It’s common sense: Lam backs decision to allow leggings
BRISTOL boss Pat Lam has welcomed World Rugby’s decision allowing players to wear tights or leggings at all levels of the sport.
Previously only permissible for women, World Rugby’s Law Four has been extended to all participants with immediate effect, enabling the wearing of conforming tights or leggings on the grounds of player welfare and accessibility.
World Rugby said the ruling was changed to reflect the growing worldwide use of artificial surfaces at both elite and community levels.
The governing body is also to work with unions and artificial turf providers to ensure the risk of abrasions are minimised, particularly by brushing and watering in hot conditions.
Bristol head to Gallagher Premiership opponents Newcastle tomorrow, with the Falcons’ Kingston Park surface one of four artificial pitches in English rugby’s top flight.
“World Rugby has made a good decision, a common-sense decision, around players being able to wear tights to protect them from skin-burns,” Lam said.
“I think most of the issues of those pitches are the skin-burns and I think this is a good option.
“At the end of the day, it still comes down to players’ preferences and how they feel. Some players still might choose not to but at least there is an option.
“It’s common sense because it doesn’t give anyone an advantage
by having them on, but it does give a form of protection.
“I imagine a lot more will take it up in the middle of December and January!
“White boots were an issue in my day but now they are common everywhere. In a few years’ time it will be common practice, but at least players have the option.”
Bristol will arrive on Tyneside looking to bounce back from a 52-24 thumping by Premiership champions Harlequins last time out.
It was their third defeat from four starts this season and left them 12th in the table with a leaguehighest 142 points conceded, including 18 tries.
In June, Harlequins did the impossible and came back from 28-0 down to beat Bristol 45-36 in AET time in the Premiership semifinal at Ashton.
The London side of course went on to lift the league trophy, beating Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in an equally remarkable game.
Many outside observers agree the Bears are yet to heal the wounds of that defeat and suggest that is why last season’s table-toppers have started the 2021/22 season so poorly, beating just Bath while now losing three times.
Two of the club’s key leaders, John Afoa and Steven Luatua, both missed last weekend’s game through injury.
However, Afoa could be back from a fractured eye socket this weekend while fellow former All Black Luatua, who was considered touch and go with a calf injury last Friday and failed a late fitness test, could also be back in the mix for the trip to Newcastle.
English rugby referees’ chief Tony Spreadbury is to join European Professional Club Rugby as head of match officials.
His new post, based in Switzerland, will see him work with the tournament organisers of the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup from December, EPCR said.
He is currently head of professional game match officials at the Rugby Football Union.
Spreadbury refereed 44 Test matches, including officiating at two Rugby World Cups, and was one of rugby union’s first fully-professional referees.