An observation Gallagher made when “firefighting” at Harlequins a decade ago about the lack of youthful potential coming through in Chariot country might partially explain English rugby’s low ebb at present and serve as a warning to rugby’s governors here. “The game lost a lot of kids when teachers who took sports lessons had their allowances withdrawn. There’s no route for boys from working-class backgrounds, and we are losing out on players who could provide a bit of an edge.”
