Over the years we have seen some spectacular developments but I wonder have the powers that be gone a bit too far this time with their ‘experimental law variations’, which are currently being adopted in the Tri Nations.

Games were dominated by big packs and with the players able to kick directly into touch all over the field to gain ground it virtually was ten man and sometimes nine-man rugby.

You could have a flyer on the wing but he seldom saw the ball.

Tony O’Reilly one of the great Irish wings of that time would often say it was just as well they got to throw the ball into the line out, otherwise he would never touch the thing. Then the hookers took over the line out throwing and the wing was made redundant.

The late Paddy ‘Magwa’ Lysaght used to say he played 25 years out on the wing for Young Munster “and I never got a pass”.

The law makers then came up with the ‘no yardage gained by kicking directly to touch outside the 22’s and the back row had to stay down in the scrums.

This gave the backs more room and adventurous sides like the Welsh began to play spectacular running rugby in the 70’s.

What a back line the Welsh had then - Gareth Edwards, Barry John, John Dawes, Ray Gravelle, JJ Williams and Gerald Davis on the wings and JPR at full back.

The forwards in those years were mainly confined to set pieces such as scrums, line outs, rucks and mauls.

Back row players and hookers sometimes got the ball in open play but you rarely had the big props or second rows getting involved with the aristocrats in the back line.

I think the game was more exciting then with the fastbacks getting a chance to take on an opponent on a one to one.