Gosper hails rugby’s rapid progress since turning professional in 1995
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper believes that rugby union has “come a long way very quickly” as it reaches 25 years as a professional sport.
But he also outlined some of the future challenges that will need to be met. It is a quarter of a century today that the late Vernon Pugh, in his role as International Rugby B oard chairman, declared it an “open” sport.
Newcastle Falcons under Sir John Hall were trailblazers in the British Isles and their first professional coach, ex-eng - land stand- off, Rob Andrew, once described rugby going professional in 1995 as being “like the Wild West”.
S cotland struggled to keep pace with the rapid grow th and its most famous clubs are now diminished in stature as a district model was pursued.
“Twenty-five years, while it is a long time, in professional sporting history it’s a tiny piece of history,” Gosper said.
“Super Rugby and the European Cup were introduced at that time, which added a huge dimension of visibility and attractiveness to the sport ... and the World Cup has grown to be the third-biggest sporting event on the planet.”
Edinburgh coach and former
England hook er Richard Cockerill spanned both amateur and pro eras.
He recalled: “I remember getting my first contract at Leicester and finding it unbelievable that someone would pay money for you to do the same thing you’d do for free.
“It’ s certainly changed, nobody watching videos and just chatting with your mates on away bus trips. The game has lost some things but we need to embrace it.”