The Magic Of Rugby, Still Captivating The Kids

Right, here we go, let's have some fun today

BEING decidedly old school, I was brought-up in the belief that Rugby Union was a players' game. It was a game for all sizes and body shapes, from the as broad as they were tall props up to the “giraffes” behind them in the second row. The French perhaps said it best: a rugby team had eight “piano shifters” and seven “piano players”. It was all about fun, THE amateur game – we played it for love of the game.

But, in 1995, it all began to change, the game went professional, it had suddenly become serious. Perhaps, more than 20 years later, at the top end, the game has all become too-serious; the players and the hits have become bigger; the need to win has become greater – the fun has gone out of Rugby Union.

(OK, I'm off, catch me if you can)

Or has it? The BT Premiership is, supposedly, an amateur competition, featuring Scotland's top clubs and club players. It's a great competition. Ayr is one of the top teams in the Premiership, and, every home game, at half-time, they do their bit by reminding us, who are at the game, it's supposed to be about fun and enjoyment.

They do this by letting their mini-rugby section loose on the field, and, on Saturday, at the interval of their game against Boroughmuir, it was the turn of the smallest of the Millbrae kids – the Primary Ones and Twos – to strut their stuff.

 (My ball. No it's not, it's mine)

Club photographer George McMillan was pitch side to capture the action. Now, we may be biased, but, we think these pictures are just about the best examples of the spirit of the game and enjoyment we have seen.

What do you think?

(Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once)

(Awe come on, pass. Not till you say please nicely)

(Right you lot, don't argue, just do as I tell you)

(How do you like my Finn Russell impression?)

(It's ok, but, not as good as my Stuart Hogg one?)

(Gotcha wee man, you're tackled)

(Come on, here we are, give us the ball)

(What was that coach said - ball in both hands)

(Hold him up and we'll get the put-in at the scrum)

(I'm clear and there's the line - I'm going to score)

(Right, be like Niko Matawalu - feint then go)

(You're going nowhere buddy - I'm having you)

TONIGHT, at Bridgehaugh, Stirling, District Rugby returns to Scotland, when Caledonia takes on The South, in a match, the proceeds from which will go to Doddie Weir's Trust.

Both sides will contain weel-kent faces from the BT Premiership and the National Leagues, and a big crowd is anticipated for what promises to be a great night.

Now, when are Glasgow and Edinburgh going to get their arses into gear and, whether the Murrayfield Mandarins like it or not, we could get Inter-District games back on the schedule. For one thing, they might help in the selection of the Club XV.

AND FINALLY, The Night of the "Calcutta Shield" may be one of the most-celebrated stories from rugby's legendary history of bad behaviour, but, all has seemingly been forgiven.

We always believed, after their excursion into the streets of Saturday night Edinburgh, all those years ago, an edict came down from on-high, that John Jeffrey and Dean Richards were never again to be allowed in the same room.

The reformed Mr Jeffrey is now, of course, one of the high heid yins in World Rugby, so, I suppose he has been forgiven and, at a gala Fighting for the Cause dinner in honour of the Doddie Weir 5 Trust, hosted by Doddie's former Newcastle Falcons club, JJ and Deano, now the Falcons' Director of Rugby, were indeed in the same room.

And, we have photographic proof – courtesy of photographs from www.chrislishman.com

John Jeffrey (left) and Dean Richards (right), finally allowed back into the same room, but, no sign of the Calcutta Cup, just in case, at Newcastle Falcons' Fighting for the Cause dinner in honour of Doddie Weir.