French Rugby.

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

French Rugby.

What Continuation of British Boycott May Mean. A statement recently attributed to M. Roger Dantou, the president of the French Rugby Federation, to the effect that relations between France and the British Unions would be resumed in 1934. has been officially denied, writes C. W. Packford in London '"Sporting Life" of September 26;

In spite of this there is no reason why the French authorities should regard the position with pessimism.

There is, in fact, every possibility that a happier state of affairs will prevail in the near future as a result of efforts the federation is making to remain loyal to the Rugby Union game. It is inviting, if it has not already done so, the International Board to send a deputation to meet it in a conference, at which the whole position may be amicably discussed.

The federation is preparing a full statement of its position.

It is collecting evidence from all clubs that are keenly concerned as to the international situation, regarding the steps they individually have taken to improve matters so far as the taint of pseudo-amateurism is concerned.

Should a deputation proceed to Paris for this* purpose I believe they will discover such an all-round improvement in the general atmosphere that they will have seriously to consider the rehabilitation of the French.

It is sincerely to be hoped that an amicable settlement will soon take place, otherwise there is little doubt there will be an end to any chance of future meetings between France and the four home Unions.

The danger lies in the fact that negotiations arc still taking place, although of an unofficial character, between certain supporters of the Rugby League game in England and others interested in the game in France with a view to the adoption of the other code on the Continent. The Rugby League itself has made no advances to France in any shape or form—this I have on the word of Mr. John Wilson, the secretary of the League. There is, however, a strong desire in certain centres across the channel that France should not hesitate to adopt the thirtcen-a-sidc game if the International Board does not soon raise the embargo.

They argue —and there is much in their contention —that the loss of annual matches with the Rugby Unions of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales could be compensated by an arrangement for similar encounters with England, Wales, and any touring Dominion teams under Rugby League laws.

This is a matter that our International Board must seriously consider, for should France take the plunge into what is popularly believed to be the professional game—although more amateurs play it than do paid performers —they will bo for ever barred to such centres as Twickenham, Murrayfield, Lansdowne Road, Cardiff Arms Park, or St. Helens, Swansea, the five national grounds in these isles.

From a purely sporting point of view this would be regrettable; from the financial aspect it would be in the nature of a disaster, for a' visit of the French to the home Unions in the past has meant an addition of something like £10,000 to the exchequer of the country concerned.

Take the Rugby Union as an example. This season there is only one international match at Twickenham—that with Scotland on March 17 —and as a consequence the Union has had to introduce a new representative fixture with a view to securing the necessary funds for their many responsibilities connected with the game. This will take the form of a North v. South match, to be played on February 24 at " G.H.Q.," and if the teams are carefully selected with due consideration to qualification, it should prove an attractive encounter.

Even such a match, cannot be expected to produce more than a quarter of the amount that would be obtained if France were being played instead.

There is little doubt, that both England and Wales would welcome a resumption of fixtures with the French, but Scotland, and, in a lesser degree, Ireland, are adverse to this happening in the prevailing conditions.

It will be interesting to see, first, if the suggested conference takes place, and then what attitude will be adopted by the International Board.