JEFF Probyn is right to flag the reduction in participants in rugby but, while the misguided diversion by some clubs of resources away from their social sides to try and boost first team league positions has been a contributing factor, to suggest it is the main one is wide of the mark.
Senior men’s playing numbers have been reducing for many seasons, with youngsters having many options to draw them away from physical sports and older players with families tending to retire far earlier.
Breaks caused by Covid have not helped and it has taken hard work by club volunteers to contin...