Rugby’s modern-day brutality on show in bruising inter-pro battle

That was classic trench warfare at the Sportsground on Saturday night. In a no-holds barred physical contest, players from both Connacht and Leinster were out on their feet by the finish. With a heavy pitch contributing to extra collisions at the breakdown, this PRO14 battle was no place for the fainthearted.

Some of the hits absorbed were shuddering and several players didn’t make it to the end due to the punishment they had endured. This was not an evening for running rugby; instead, it was a raw and bruising struggle where the physicality of both teams was tested to the limit. At times, it didn’t make for edifying viewing.

Professional rugby continues to have an image problem. Bulked up players ploughing into each other is taking a toll on their overall well-being and how many individuals over the past five years have been forced to retire from the game prematurely? The current legal action by several former England and Welsh internationals over the impact of repeated concussions tells a stark story.

Ex-Irish International and TV pundit Donal Lenihan has voiced his fears over the direction rugby is going, in particular the sight of a heap of 20st-plus forwards being thrown into the fray in the final quarter of matches against fatigued opponents. He believes it’s a breeding ground for injuries – and some bad ones at that.

Take last Saturday, for instance. Connacht’s Sean O’Brien, who is just back from protracted injury problems, had to be escorted from the field in what seemed a dazed-like state. There were other players looking the worse for wear and while we all salute the bravery on show, some rugby players have become physical monsters and that is not good for the game.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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