FRENCH RUGBY TROUBLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

FRENCH RUGBY TROUBLES.

A report to the effect that international relations in Rugby football would be resumed between France and the British unions in 1934 proved unfortunately to be "premature," states the "Field"" (London). It appears that a committee composed of one representative each from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are to make independent investigations among the French clubs to satisfy themselves whether or not the game has been cleansed of the rough play and veiled professionalism which brought about the suspension of international matches. How the committee are to investigate the conduct of clubs and players we do not know. It seems to us an impracticable undertaking.

More to the point is the question as to what steps the French authorities themselves have taken to cleanse the game. Have they abolished the club championship, which was generally regarded as the root of the evil? If not, we cannot visualise very much improvement in the spirit of French Rugby. It is significant that the most promising movement —the formation of a separate organisation or clubs willing to leave the championship competition—has apparently failed for lack of support.