All for player power but the fans are key

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU

email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk

COLIN Boag and others rightly make the point that without players there wouldn't be a game, but it is also true that without supporters there wouldn't be any ticket sales or TV money to pay the bills.

We have seen some brilliant games during September when the weather has been fair. Would it not be sensible to start mid-August and finish late March so that fans can take advantage of the school holidays to travel to support their team? Alternatively, start the Six Nations in January and let most of the players have a winter break if you want to play until late May.

Little thought seems to be given to travelling fans, especially at Christmas and New Year when we want derbies. My own team, Tigers, play at home to Saracens before Christmas and away to Exeter at New Year, a long trek from the East Midlands. We should be playing Wasps at New Year – it would be a sell out.

SIMON MARLOWRIDLEY, Hinckley