Rugby can secure a blockbuster future, so why is it digging into a hole? | Robert Kitson


There is no better time to convert casual rugby spectators into lifelong fans, but the game risks missing its cue

In weeks such as this promoting rugby union should be the easiest job in the world. An eventful World Cup is still fresh in the memory and the first two rounds of Europes flagship club tournament have just been played. As anyone who saw Finn Russells fabulous piece of try-scoring skill for Racing 92 at Thomond Park can testify, there are also box-office players out there.

Add in Joe Marler impersonating an Irish horse a video which has now been seen by almost as many people who are watching James Haskell in the Celebrity jungle and awareness of rugby amongst the general population is higher than normal. What better time, then, to convert all that casual interest into something more permanent?

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