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Rugby Union dangers dropping younger followers to cricket if coaches don’t get the sport out of its present rut, based on former England coach Sir Clive Woodward.

The World Cup winner took purpose at England’s present coach Eddie Jones, who claimed that issues concerning the state of the sport have been alarmist and foolish.

In response to Woodward, the sport has “gone a good distance down the unsuitable path”.

“Manner too many [matches] are full yawns, perversely punctuated by the occasional thrilling second which makes you marvel what on earth was happening within the different 79 minutes,” he wrote in his Day by day Mail column.

“For the primary time I can keep in mind, groups with prime possession now not need the ball. Groups with sensational runners and counter-attackers have nearly given up doing what they do finest.

“Folks do not pay good cash to observe this nonsense and if we have been allowed crowds at video games they might be making the groups and gamers conscious. Finally, the patron is king and rugby must do not forget that.

“The comparability with among the sensible cricket, golf and soccer I’ve watched on TV over the troublesome final eight months couldn’t have been extra startling.”

Woodward pointed to the eight substitutes rule as one of many modifications that has diminished the product, and referred to as on coaches reminiscent of Jones to buck the development.

“I am starting to suppose we have to return to injury-only replacements, even when that needs to be carefully marshalled because it may very well be open to abuse,” he mentioned.

“Rugby must look to creative coaches – like Eddie – who can suppose outdoors the field to assist get us again heading in the right direction.

“In the event that they lead, the gamers will comply with.”