THE LAST WORD

HoW heartening to see Christian Wade take a principled stand to highlight a profound issue in the sport: rugby’s ‘white, public school’ image. Wasps’ black wing believes that talented children from less privileged and ethnic minority backgrounds do not have sufficient opportunities to progress in the game in this country. The figures show he has a point. There is still an overreliance on the public school system. In many areas of England, rugby union is derided to this day as a bastion of wealth and class rather than pure sporting merit. Wade believes that vast communities are untapped and that many athletically gifted pupils from state schools miss out on chances to forge a professional career. He is right. There are initiatives in place but rugby must work harder to shake off the impression that it remains a ‘posh’ game in many parts, out of reach of the majority.