It is widely reported that Rugby Union’s struggle to grow in England is driven by financial instability, safety concerns, or shifting lifestyle habits. While these factors play a role, I believe my background and upbringing reveal a more fundamental issue. Access and perception. I grew up in a working‑class, football‑dominated part of Manchester. In communities like mine, rugby is often viewed as an exclusive, upper‑class game. That perception alone is enough to deter many yo
