Youngsters are in for a shock when fans return

WASN’T it great seeing a few fans watching the Scottish derby match at Murrayfield last weekend. The lucky 700 were the first to witness a rugby match in the UK and Ireland since we came out of lockdown and now the game is planning for the safe return of more spectators.

The Twickenham Stoop was the latest venue to test Covid procedures yesterday with 2,700 and that will increase to 3,500 next time out. If all goes well we will see 20,000 at Twickenham when an England XV face the Barbarians next month. Quite rightly the governing bodies and tournament organisers are taking baby steps to begin with. This deadly virus is still among us and we all have to be careful when gathering in large numbers.

I’d love nothing better than to be able to take my son to a big match and mingle with the fans. There will be a time for that, but not just yet.

There is a fine balance here, given the financial imperatives for the game. But the safety of players and fans alike has to be uppermost in everyone’s minds.

It was eerie being a commentator at grounds without fans over the past few weeks. The noise generated by packed crowds, as well as the atmosphere that is created by rival supporters, is what makes sport so special.

Trust me when I tell you that there are many intimidating places to play. The fans get on your back, try to upset and ridicule you and provide huge incentive to their own team. Stradey Park used to be a mere 12 miles from my house, but going there to play with either Neath or the Ospreys was like going to a foreign land.

The noise levels can also inspire and intimidate in equal measure. You only have to see the tears that roll down the faces of so many hard-bitten and experienced internationals when they hear their home fans sing their national anthem before a Test match to realise why they say playing on your own patch is always worth a handful of points.

The youngsters who have been blooded in recent weeks are in for a shock when they start playing in front of full houses. You can hear every roar, groan and pointed comment. I still hear the sigh of the Welsh crowd at the Millennium Stadium when my first touch in international rugby turned into an interception try for Emile Ntamack many moons ago. If only the ground could have opened and swallowed me up!

But that is part of the learning curve. You have to learn to take it and hit back. Thankfully, I had some better memories of playing at home to remember before finishing.