David Flatman

All these little tweaks to the laws of rugby do take some thinking about. On the latest scrum amendments, I’ve still a bit of reading and thinking to do on it, but it does instinctively feel like the next step in the systematic depowering and ultimate dilution of one of the most iconic – and certainly the most unique – aspects of our great sport.

Back David Flatman: 'Give the laptops a rest and let the boys play.' Copied to clipboard 2 4:57am, 06 September 2023 It was the season after I’d stopped playing that I first sat back – in my new ergonomic chair – and zoomed out a little as I observed Bath, my now-former team, and how they were playing. As a player in the, at-times, indecently narrow confines of the front row I saw my role to be, frankly, whatever the boss decided it should be.

David Flatman: 'I fear the game is becoming too apologetic. Rugby simply will never appease everybody' 11:34am, 28 February 2023 The overarching narrative that describes rugby union today is of a game on its knees. Lawsuits surrounding brain injuries of once-celebrated gladiators now diagnosed with dementia linger. A furore rages around enforced waist-high tackles and how the ruling could stop the game in its tracks.