Austin Healey: Rigid rules could lead to 'simulation' entering the game of rugby

It has been an incredible start to the season.

We have had upsets galore, more
than 100 tries and sensational hat-tricks, while some of the skills on
display have been mind-blowing.

But there is one creeping trend that has
been increasingly bothering me; the strict adherence by referees to duty of
care laws threatens to become a real problem if it is not nipped in the bud.




Do not misunderstand me: the safety of players is of paramount importance.

But
some of these rules appear to have been designed by International Rugby
Board committees without the professional g…