Sir, – There has been much discussion in your sports pages about head injury and concussion in rugby ("Concussion on the political agenda", October 3rd). When I played rugby (in the last century), the purpose of the tackle was to halt, not to hurt, the opponent. The introduction of the term and practice of the "hit" implies an intention to hurt or injure.
Rugby is becoming a dreary contest of beefed-up behemoths in crude collisions, with frequent consequential injuries.
American-style helmets serve only to increase the impact on the brain.
Rugby needs somehow to revert to a running, passing game where the speed of the man or ball wins, not physical force. Suggestions? Learn from Rugby Sevens? More running forwards like Sean Cronin? Less forceful tackles? – Yours, etc,
DENIS GILL,
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.