Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 1029, 17 March 1920, Page 28

Rugby Football.

The following ' from the " Athletic News " is interesting::—" I learn that among the Imperialists of the Rugby Union of England and Wales the idea was entertained—it may be yet, so far as I know —that at the end of the present season a British team • might be sent to idea has been intended as a sop to the hotheads of New Zealand I cannot say. What I do know is that so far as Ireland and Scotland are concerned the suggestion does not commend itself.

' -'Some Homeland Rugby/ legislators want to know ■whether tiio side is to be sent ; out as an attractive setoff to the Northern Rugby TTnion expedition, and they ask under what rules it is proposed to play—the real Rugby rules or, the eccentric conglomeration which for the sake of opening up footjjall it ■ expected to practice throughout Australasia, old and' shrewd legislators' protests notwithstanding. " What is more, \ some pretty plain statements appear to have been made on the subject, and at the presbnt time international relations are. not what one could call very pleasant. It does not appear to be, generally known that an International Board was- held recently at which, some plain talking , took place in /regard to the tendency to coquette with the rules as to professionalism." There is much food for reflection for the . " hotheads ". r ixt. the quotation I have' made. England and . Wales are evidently in favour of sending a team to Australasia, but Ireland and Scotland are against it. And if a team does come,' as things are at present, it will be an Anglo-Welsh one. and not a British side.