RUGBY UNDER THE FLOODLIGHTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27471, 4 October 1954, Page 12

RUGBY UNDER THE FLOODLIGHTS

Cardiff To Meet Harlequins NEW VENTURE IN BRITAIN (From the London Correspondent of ' "The Press”) LONDON, September 20. While New Zealand is considering the possibilities of night trotting, England is forging ahead with Rugby Union Football under floodlights. To introduce this new venture in sport, two famous clubs—Cardiff and the Harlequins—have been chosen and the match will be played at White City, London, on October 12. Consideration is also being given to the possibility of televising the match. If these plans are successful there is every opportunity for the Union code to get a big lift in Britain. Administrators of the game have obviously kept this point in mind in selecting the Harlequins to play in the first game. This club is noted the world over for the bright type of Rugby it produces, with emphasis on getting the ball into the backs and making play with the three-quarters. Cardiff, too. has a huge reputation as a club side. Since the war the scalps of the touring Australians and All Blacks have been added to Cardiff’s Rugby belt. Both teams will be able to field several international players. The All Blacks will remember the England centre, W. P. C. Davies, who will be playing for Harlequins under the captaincy of the former Cambridge leader, R. M. Barlett, who also played against the New Zealanders. Rugby, generally, seems to be in the boom in Europe and more countries are playing the code today than ever before.

The latest news is that Rumania is anxious to visit Britain for a short tour of three or four games. A London match probably against a team, would be included as well as a game in Wales against Swansea and Cardiff. Last August Swansea went behind the Iron Curtain and played two matches, losing one and winning the other. Negotiations are also proceeding between Italy and Wales for matches and British writers are warning Rugby administrators to take these European countries seriously. They point out that in the ’3o’s British International teams did not take France seriously, but things have changed considerably in the intervening years. It is a healthy sign that so many countries are showing new interest in Rugby. It is good for the game, especially in Britain where there is such a tremendous public following for Asand Rugby League.