RUGBY MATTERS
A weekly look at the game’s other talking points
BRENDAN GALLAGHER

NOT long now ... but first comes the ubiquitous opening ceremony that most major sports events feel compelled to foist upon us. Don’t ask me why although I suspect deep down it’s something to do with mimicking the Olympics and possibly also trying to justify the big hike in ticket prices.
Anyway, the Rugby World Cup, as you suspect, has a wildly erratic record in this respect, not knowing whether to take the convention seriously or to take the mickey. A bit like rugby’s attitude to law changes, in fact.
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