Alan Quinlan on prejudice and classism in rugby

Alan Quinlan reacts to Ellis Genge's comments about prejudice in rugby.
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[@DM-rp9ik]

Ger is insufferable to the best of times. Won't let quiny finish a sentence and just answers his own question instead.

[@conorh4882]

Yeh came for this comment. He seemed set out to get his point across and wouldn't let quinny argue against

[@a88senna]

It has to be acknowledged that there is a reverse snobbery towards rugby too in rural and non-wealthy backgrounds. I'm from a rural background in Connacht, and while I would say rugby in Connacht is not dominated by private schools and well-to-do kids, there is a view from a lot of people that rugby is a snobs sport. I only played rugby very briefly in secondary school, where our team had to jump through hoops to be allowed to compete, and we did quite well all things considered. Our principal was very much against rugby (and not for health reasons) and soccer too for that matter, however, the GAA teams never had to jump through the same hoops, we had to train after school, the teacher that coached us had to buy the jerseys from his own pocket, the buses were not paid for by the school, and so on. Many people especially those involved with the GAA (note: I love the GAA and played all the way through my youth), have a negative view that rugby is a rich person's sport and they would rather their kids not be playing it. I know that stops a lot of young kids with an interest where I'm from going on to play rugby. I can't really say much about the way schools vs clubs rugby players are treated in the rest of the country, but I do know that in non-traditional rugby areas there is a resistance from a lot of parents towards the sport. Kids will play any sport so if youth rugby was more accessible then more young boys and girls would play, and there is a need for adults to help in the running of these clubs. However, a lot of people view it in a bad light as a snobby sport, ironically preventing rugby from becoming a more inclusive sport. I love rugby and would love to see it's popularity grow in Ireland and rural Ireland in particular, but it's not just the job of the IRFU, opinions need to change about the sport for it to grow. The best way to remove the concept of it being a snobs sport is by being less snobby towards the sport and helping grow clubs and the school game nationwide, allowing people from all backgrounds a better chance at getting involved.

[@HuggableWinter]

I went to a private school and coached rugby at a public school in Leinster and I'd 100% agree with you. Rugby was the main, and practically the only sport, played in the private school. In the public school it was the 4th choice sport with no rugby pitch or equipment, training and match times clashing with GAA matches etc. This perception of rugby being elitist is false and benefits no-one, bar the odd person who uses it as motivation to succeed. Regardless of whether it's public or private, it's natural to pick rugby players who train more often, have played more rugby, and have access to better facilities.

[@JSL2000]

@@HuggableWinter I agree with the OP and I agree with you. I think its lazy calling rugby a game for the elite. Its a very accessible sport with players from all backgrounds playing, but those in private schools have the huge advantage of excellent coaching and a high standard of competition both in training and against opposition schools. Lets flip it around. If you are from a poorer inner city background then you're far more likely to make it in Boxing where you have the best coaches in inner city gyms and you can relate to the fanbase who'll buy tickets to your fights. That doesn't mean that middle class kids can't box. But it does mean the odds are not with them.

[@UsyksmashedFurytwice]

@@JSL2000 Rugby is elitist, it’s a middle class posh sport in the same way Tennis, Rowing, croquet, Polo, Golf, Equestrian etc all are. Working class sports are GAA, Football, Rugby League, Boxing, MMA, Darts, Snooker. The ordinary man in the street plays them. The middle class kids generally don’t have the inherent toughness to be top class boxers/ MMA fighters. Its just reality.

[@donnbdonn1929]

In private schools those boys will be on the rugby pitches 6 days a week for 5 years

[@johnnyutah999]

Could you imagine if rugby was as ingrained in society as the GAA. Ireland would be unstoppable. It's a great game but has some work to do, so that it appeals to all classes

[@scotthamilton6062]

I dont think ireland would be unstoppable any country can say that if they focused just on one sport they would be better. NZ plays a wide range of sports and is still dominant, plus GAA is really different to rugby its not like converting from league.

[@scotthamilton6062]

@Darby Lemon Exactly, most countries can claim that though I mean look at the NZ league team. Although I believe union is alot more popular in England then league.

[@UsyksmashedFurytwice]

@@scotthamilton6062 I think you’re missing the point slightly. Rugby Union is by far and away NZ’s national sport…sure there are other sports played in NZ but they’re small fry compared to Union in the country. In the same way Ireland’s national game is GAA with football probably coming in a close second. Rugby Union is well down the pecking order…it’s still really only played in pockets of the country. It’s generally not played by the working classes in Ireland…in countries like New Zealand and Wales, it is.

[@michaelcorleone7598]

It’s true. I like Rugby but it’s steeped in classism and snobbery. A very pretentious sport

[@jamesaibhlinnbaker934]

should have joined Bective Rangers, princes and paupers welcome

[@jonnynelson7930]

I think what’s said is somewhat true. In Ulster, there is definitely a focus on the school boys coming up through the years. But it’s also very systemic, as in, it has to do with what sports your family has played and what your mates play/watch.

[@denisdesmond9550]

There's only 2 rugby schools in Tipperary Rockwell College and Roscrea C.C both private!

[@RugbyWrapUp]

It's important to have these conversations and it was indeed refreshing to see Genge speaking plainly... But will Jonny May be quicker after getting tossed under that bus?

[@eltonioh]

I presume he was mentioned because of the fact he's one of the quickest wingers around not because of a lack of pace?

[@RugbyWrapUp]

@@eltonioh Could be.

[@shanemcdonagh1979]

He is right its better now but used to be very bad lòok at quiny an absolute legend but had to give up his job to try make it not everyone could do that look at ger earls what a player but what did he get he was a legend in limerick but now his son gets there so improved definetly but would keith earls got the chance years ago ?

[@conordia6906]

Hang lads, this isn't just rugby, this is life in general. I really don't see why anyone is surprised. If you come from a more privilege background, and you are nurtured and have access to higher standards of training, facilities, teachers whatever. It's obvious that if you engage with them you are going to have more opportunities and develop more regardless of the sphere in which you operate.

[@darrencollins4588]

I am annoyed by your comment on how Leinster schools is vastly better than the other provinces. I was fortunate to go to a great school in Munster and we beat the Leinster schools more often than we lost. Plenty great players coming out of Ulster and Connacht also.

[@Chingalo2006]

We are on the far side of our best year in Rugby history, and on the cusp of possibly our most successful World Cup ever... This kind of talk is debilitating at the best, so what? we create quotas for individuals to be entitled to play for teams now??? rubbish... regardless of your stance in schools or teams, if you're good enough, and want it.... you'll go far.... just look at Trevor Brennan, Tadhg Furlong, Alan Quinlan, Jamie Heaslip.... the list goes on..... Sure if you go to a 'Rugby school' There are systems in place to elevate that journey, but there is still fierce competition for places. I think this competitive edge over the last 5-10 years is what has made us a nation to be feared. Don't go changing the system because everyone can't be involved..... It's still a minority sport, paled in insignificance to soccer, gaa or even cycling for participation numbers.... Heck! even the great New Zealand have a healthy and Majority schools grass roots vein.... This kind of talk gets me seriously annoyed.... The system works.... You can't please everyone...

[@captainautumn1]

Ireland tanked in the World Cup 2019. As they did in every other World Cup. 'The System works'. You can pull your head out of your hole whenever you want.