My blood ran cold when I read Sam Warburton’s musings on the breakdown. One of the best exponents at the point of tackle, the sadly retired Wales captain came up with one of the worst ideas I have seen regarding rugby union. For all the best reasons, of course — which he and his punished body know far better than 99.99% of us — he came up with just about the most detrimental suggestion which, if followed, would seal the fate of the sport as a lesser variant of rugby league.

“You need to protect the jackalers [the players who steal the ball at the breakdown].” This was the premise of his thoughts. Protected at the clearouts. Who would argue with this take on the