Dear World Rugby,

Instead of sitting in boardrooms attempting to weaken the game for the sake of spectacle, it would be far better to allow the natural balance of rugby to run its course, as it has done successfully for the past 20 to 30 years. Throughout the history of the sport there has always been a natural fluctuation between physically dominant, forward-driven rugby and expansive, fast-paced running rugby. Teams that struggle to compete with powerful forward packs traditionally adapt by strengthening their backline speed and creativity, and vice versa. Where one team’s weakness exists, another team’s strength naturally emerges to challenge it. This balance is part of the beauty of the game.

It is often said that fan feedback and statistics have been considered when changes are made to the game. However, it appears that the voices of many supporters have not truly been heard. The fans who matter most are often not the ones visible in corporate boxes or able to afford the increasingly exorbitant prices of match-day tickets. They are the supporters who watch from second-hand or third-hand broadcasts, from local clubhouses, from small pubs, or from their homes. These are the fans who remain loyal to the game through every high and low. They are the backbone of rugby’s global community.

Please do not allow rugby to become a heavily commercialised product similar to many American sports, where individuals or entertainment value begin to overshadow the integrity of the game itself. Rugby has always been built from the grassroots upward. Grassroots rugby feeds the clubs, the clubs feed the provinces, and the provinces feed the national teams. Regardless of the country one comes from, grassroots rugby forms the social fabric of the sport. It is a game where people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and personalities find a place within the team and within the culture of rugby. When that social fabric is weakened, the sport itself begins to lose its identity. Please do not dilute what has made rugby special for generations.

Why do English players appear to escape sanction when mocking or teasing the crowd, while others are penalised for similar behaviour? It is difficult to understand how such actions are not considered to bring the game into disrepute.

The behaviour recently displayed by players such as Pollock raises serious concerns. At just 21 years of age, he should be setting an example that reflects the values and traditions of rugby. Actions such as blowing kisses to the crowd or shushing spectators are unnecessary and disrespectful, and in my view warrant disciplinary action. A suspension of at least two matches would send a clear message that this type of conduct is not acceptable in our game.

Rugby has always been regarded as a gentleman’s sport built on respect, discipline, and strong etiquette. It is not football, and it should never become a spectacle of theatrics or crowd-taunting gestures. We should not allow this beautiful game to drift toward behaviour that undermines its traditions and values.

Rugby is a hard and demanding sport that requires toughness, character, and respect for opponents, officials, and supporters alike. Conduct such as blowing kisses or shushing the crowd belongs in football, not on a rugby field. If we truly wish to protect the integrity of the game, the rules must be applied consistently and behaviour that diminishes the spirit of rugby must be addressed firmly.

Finally, it must be remembered that rugby is no longer the game of a single nation. It is a global sport played and supported passionately across many countries and cultures. It does not belong to England, nor should its standards be shaped to suit one nation’s interpretation of the game. Rugby is growing worldwide with passion, integrity, and respect—qualities that, in many ways, set it apart from football. Those values must be protected and strengthened, not diluted.

From a passionate rugby supporter who wishes to see the integrity of the game preserved and not diluted.