Room 101: Richard Whiffin – London Irish backs coach

1. Pre-match pyrotechnics
I didn’t see the need for the light show and all the razzmatazz before the first game of the Six Nations. Wales versus England at Cardiff doesn’t need any extra hype, the game – and the atmosphere in the stadium – was big enough as it was. You see this sort of thing happening at more and more at club games with the fire shooters etc. Personally, I think the players should just get out there and get on with it.
TRP verdict: Bang! You’re off to a cracking start.
2. Tapping up young players
January 1 is supposed to be the date when you can talk to players at other clubs who are coming off contract in the summer. But everyone in the sport knows this is not properly adhered to. Young heads, in particular, are turned as early as September/October and I find that very frustrating because it affects their on-field performances. Their sole focus should be on developing their game not how much x, y and z are offering them to move. I don’t think there is enough of a deterrent in terms of compensating clubs who are affected by this, and we, at London Irish, have certainly been on the receiving end when it comes to losing young English-qualified players who have come through our academy system. £50-60,000 is no deterrent to a big-spending club if they know they’re getting a top, top player.
TRP verdict: Sorry this one’s gone west … a bit like all your players!
3. Season structure
The big decision-makers in the game need to work harder to get a global season in place. If we moved to summer we’d avoid competing with football for media coverage/spectators and the product on the pitch would be better and more entertaining to watch. I’d advocate keeping the Six Nations where it is and align the domestic season with that of the Southern Hemisphere. I know it’s not easy because there are so many stakeholders involved but we have to strive towards playing rugby when the conditions are so much better. I worry about the latter stages of the World Cup which is being played at a time when it’s normally rainy and a negative mind-set takes over.
TRP verdict: I’m warming to your way of thinking.