RUGBY IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 14

RUGBY IN ENGLAND.

THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD. REPRESENTATION OF FRANCE. SCOTLAND FEARS NEW ZEALAND. BY J. N. SHERWOOD. LONDON, Feb. i. Should France win the Rugby championship of the British Isles, which is quite,-within the realms of possibility, then the Dominions are going to have a peg on which to press their claims with renewed vigour in connection with Imperial representation on all questions pertaining to International Ilugby. (France was defeated by England by 11 points to 5.) Already France, having visions of heading the championship table, which are more than sistiiicd, has thrown out a feeler seeking equal representation on the International Board.

" It would be humiliating for Franco," says one well-known French writer, " having beaten all the British teams, if she were not admitted to the great International assembly. Are our British friends waiting for our victory in this season's campaign to admit us to the International Board ?"

France, of course, is appealing to Britain's' sentiment, which, however, I am afraid, is not going to carry any weight. At least I hope not, for surely Britain will not give Franco what she wants and ignore the claims of South Africa and New Zealand. Franco Will Be Ignored. It is almost certain that Franco will not get what she is seeking, although it oan bo taken for granted that should she win the championship, thero will bo an outcry in France, which may cause •unpleasantness between the two countries. But the International Board will not care a jot. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will turn round to Franco and say, "You caiinot como in; if you do not like the answer, well break with us if you like. -Your absence from the International tournament will injure you more than it will Britain."

This will bo perfectly true. It may not be the true ethics of sportsmanship, in fact, it is not. It is a case of might against right. But it suits Britain. Of course, if one visualises the future, it is more than likely that in years to come New Zealand and South .Africa may bo provided with greater Rugby contests in France than in Britain. At any rate, Britain's power in Europe as the greatest Rugby-playing country is being seriously challenged by I 1 ranee, and although there - may be no great immediate danger in the challenge there is no saying what change may take place within (he next 10 years or so. My friends in New Zealand and South Africa can, however, take it for granted that tho International Board will not grant Franco the privilege slie is seeking. In the first place it dare not, in view of the fact that it has ignored tho claims pf blood relations. And, incidentally, I may add that the British public, if it really understood the question, would without fail support New Zealand and South Africa in their claim for international recognition in the framing and drafting of rules. As a matter of fact, if a census were taken among firstclass Rugby players on the question, it is a hundred to one on them going against the uncalled-for attitude of the International Board in barring you from full representation. The Correct Position.

Of course the main point' is that if England and Wales, who 1 believe are friendly disposed to the' Dominions in their desire for fuller representation, had to show the courage of their convictions, and stand by Now. Zealand and South .Africa, it vrmld bring about a split in the ranks of the International Board. The correct position is this: Scotland is afraid of New Zealand and what Scotland says Ireland generally copies. Consequently if England and Wales pressed tho point of Imperial representation and said it must be granted, it is almost certain that Scotland and Ireland would resign from the International Board. Thus we would have a split in our own country and England and Wales taking the road of least resistance would rather break with New Zealand and South Africa than bring about domestic unhappincss in their own camp. My friends overseas do not realise the impossible views Scotland takes. l?or instance. in the case of tho forthcoming Now Zealand tour, Scotland has washed its hands of tho whole thing. It is not taking any responsibility. It says to England : " You can have any of our players, but remember Scotland 'is not breaking any of her principles by giving you permission to have the loan of her players." Impossible Attitude.

Another illustration of tho impossible attitude taken l>y Scotland is shown by tlio fact that her legislators will not permit, her international team to be numbered. Tt savours of professionalism, and so we have Scotland turning out at Twickenham without thoii players numbered, while England's players are numbered. Thousands of people at Twickenham, who were not acquainted with the Scottish players, consoijuently did not know who were the shining lights of Scotland because their programme in relation to 11io Scottish team was not numbered.

Tho English llugby Union regards this attitude as one means of injuring UlO popularity of the gam-j. for in these international matches .the bulk of the people are not adherents to the game. They go because of its international label. And no Englishman is going- to watch an international game when he is in tho dar£ as to the recognition of the players on View. Consequently England, when she plays her match in Scotland also declines to number her players. The reason for this is on the basis of "tit for tat." In other words if Scotland in England will nob help the public by numbering her players, I lien England >n Scotland wiil not assist the Scottish public by exhibiting numbers.

Of course the whole altitude is childish, but does it not show the great, difficulties the Dominions are faced with in trying to persuade Scotland that you have no ulterior ideas in seeking ,I'uli representation ? 1 understand Ijv the way that G. F. S. Macpherson, tho Scottish eentre-lhrecquarter, has accepted tho invitation to be one of the members of tho British team in New Zealand. If this report ho true, and I believe it is, then New Zealand will have the opportunity of seeing Britain's best centre. There was no Ihrccquarter of Macpherson's calibre in Cove Smith's team that toured South Africa.