RUGBY GAME IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 14

RUGBY GAME IN FRANCE.

RAPID INTERNATIONAL RISE. COMBINED PLAY IMPROVING. [from our athletic correspondent.] LONDON, Feb. 27. There was a time when the four Home Unions in the British Isles made rings round their Rugby rivals in the outposts of the Empire. This was in the days when New Zealand and South Africa were new to the game, and we sent our sides to show them the finer points of the game. Now they are teaching us many tilings in the art of the game. In tho technique of Rugby New Zealand and South Africa have revealed certain qualities which we in this country havo not acquired. A few years back we m Britain were teaching tho French how to play Rugby. We sent teams over to (he Continent, which put up cricket scores; we received French teams in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, which for years took terrible hidings. Their Rugby was pantomimic. But what of to-day. To put it bluntly, it looks as though in (he matter of another season or so, the French will be. the champion Rugby country of Europe.

It. is just possible, that when the Springboks next visit this part of the world they may be victorious against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and yet go down to France. There is no getting away from the fa:t France is seriously challenging Britain's Rugby prestige. Jt. would not be a safe bet to wager against France winning the championship within two seasons.

Although the Frenchmen have been beaten by Scotland and Wales fo far this season, there is no getting away from the fact that the two British teams were decidedly lucky. Wales, for instance, should never have won in mail wcqk. It was decidedly lucky. Yet it is acknowledged in the country that Wales is on the up grade. Scotland, too, which surprised everyone by beating Ireland, whoso display against England made every one speak* in glowing terms of the excellence of the men from the Green Isle, was overshadowed in tho game with the French.

Of course, it is a case of history repeating itself. Ten years ago France was taking tips from Britain, just as South Africa did in the days of Mark Morrison's team. Like tiio Springboks, the. French liavo been very observant, and to-day, instead of being" a team of individuals, which was their great fault a few years back, tlicy are knitting together. And from their rate of improvement, if it be maintained, .1 can see the day coming when France, and not Britain, will bo tho Dominions' hardest proposition.