A shoulder charge that made contact with the head of an opponent wasn't illegal in 2005 - a point that was emphasized in 2009 when Bailey planted one on Fa'asavalu which led to Mick Potter pointing out the apparent inconsistency in relation to such contact.

I agreed with Mick Potter then. There has since been a shift in how such challenges are viewed.

Potters hour long presentation on the matter, in that hearing, was lovely.

Only time will tell but I'd imagine others will still be banned for making legitimate attempts that for one reason or another end with one player's head meeting another player's shoulder.

Con Mika for Hull KR V Widnes (while Chase was serving the 1st game of his ban) pulled off some absolute beauties.

If for no other reason Mika will now forever have a place in my heart.

The game that I originally fell in love with as a teen has all but gone now being replaced by an almost sterile, who gives a flying f**k version. Prop forwards getting sent off with less than 30 seconds to go for nothing more than handbags (and pretty poor ones at that) is about as big an over-reaction as you are ever likely to see.

If that's going to be the norm from now on it's probably time to pass the baton down - will there be anyone interested in picking it up though?

If slotting people on the head with the shoulder is "the game you loved", then thankfully things have changed for the better.

What percentage of shoulder charges made contact with an opponent's head?

Making contact with an opponent's head is covered by the laws and it's the job of the referee and disciplinary panel to punish bad technique where it exists. If they applied appropriate sanctions then perhaps the spectacle of huge collisions could be preserved instead of being consigned to an historical footnote.

If every punch thrown is now going to result in an automatic send off as appeared to be the case at Salford yesterday then it's no longer rugby and the spectacle of players rolling around the floor feigning injury is only a matter of time.

When was throwing punches every rugby?

Maybe you would prefer boxing?

In the game? no. Part of the game? yes.

It's always been a part of the sport on the occasions when the need arises. Let's say your full-back gets king-hit around the head, would you condemn your pack of forwards if they sought immediate retribution .... indeed weren't you disappointed when the Leeds pack allowed an opposition stand-off get away with such a challenge while highlighting the different approach taken by the St Helens pack.



I don't mind boxing. I have an immense amount of admiration for anyone who dedicates their life to a noble art and is willing to put themselves to the ultimate test but it's appeal is somewhat limited.

There's already a sanitised version of rugby, it's called Union and to me it's a pale immitation of the game it could be, that game is League but it appears it may be on a path that leads to emasculation.

I don't mind playing devil's advocate and poking a stick at you usually but I'll drop this one. You're right.