Lets ban the Rugby Academy

That is it the Autumn internationals have made me accept that the academy aspect of professional rugby is an unmitigated disaster. The rugby, particularly played by England has been tired, slow and lacking inspiration. The rules are blamed, rightly slow. The real problem is the players have lost the ability to think and more importantly react to the game in front of them. 

The reason for this is I am convinced is the club based academy. Previously young players made their way through the various representative levels. The representative levels were coached by willing and enthusiastic amateurs who although competitive were not trying to climb the coaching ladder. The young players were also playing senior club rugby learning off older players.

The current crop of players coming through the coaching of academies are missing an important part of the their rugby education. Ask any academy player how much they can bench or the nutritional value of a piece of cabbage they can tell you. Where they miss out is the variety of rugby experience that previously happened. This means that come to the tough part of a rugby match and lack of knowledge means they revert to the coaching manual. The instinct is dulled by lack of game time and a fear instilled by professional coaches to deviate from the safe option. So get rid of the rugby academy and let creativity flow.