Trying times for Welsh rugby

Gareth Rees writes that money and size are now all important; John Marriott calls for the sport to be brought back into state schools, plus a letter from Steffan Parry

Re your editorial (The Guardian view on Welsh rugby: enduring an existential crisis with cultural roots, 4 February), what’s surprising is that it’s taken this long. In the amateur era, Wales, with a much smaller population than that of England, had more wins than losses against most of the home nations. Welsh clubs were among the very best in the world and Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Llanelli all beat the All Blacks.

The game and its culture had great resonance in southern Wales, where relatively slightly built men, fleet of foot and with flair (many from south-west Wales and Welsh speakers) ran with the ball won by forwards often hardened by work in heavy industry. Schoolmasters were dedicated to encouraging talent and participation in team games. Money and player size (except in the front five) were relatively unimportant and success bred success. For much of that era, spectator community spirit was characterised by the fervent singing of Welsh hymns such as Sosban Fach.