The RFU's System of Justice Makes the People's Courts of the Former Soviet Socialist Republics Appear Models of Consistency

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It is only a year since Adrian Spencer (who is not playing today) came on as a replacement for Cambridge in the University match. An amateur rugby league player, he had turned out in a perfunctory match with a professional league club. This was neither widely known nor of great interest to most people. But one person told the tale to the Rugby Football Union.

This body normally combines the qualities of the ostrich with those of Lord Nelson. It can simultaneously turn a blind eye and bury its head in the sand, when it suits its purposes to put on the performance.

On this occasion the RFU did neither. It did not tell its informant to jump off Twickenham Bridge - …