Rugby L have been complaining for some years that the collision area is far too severe for the players physic, thus causing extreme injuries, it would follow that the same is happening in union as highlighted by Tel, we are harking back to the days of the gladiator and away from the game we once knew as rugby. Size it seems is everything and skills are secondary.

In answer to your final question, yes.

One of the many facets of why there is a shortage of players at the grass roots level is to do with the exponentially greater physicality of the sport.

A decade ago even, you'd have 3rds and 4th teams full of experienced 40-50 (and even 50plus) players playing with older teens, those older players would have been the mainstays of the clubs first team up until their late 30s early 40's, from about level 5 downwards (english levels), now most teams below that level struggle to put out second teams.

Now even at level 7 or 8 it's the exception that a mid 30's player is in the first team, they all retire because they are physocally buggered and can't keep playing at any level, so you don't get that trickle down effect of older players hanging around and playing in the seconds, thirds and fourths.

I've had the misfortune to play in two games where an njury was sustained that left the person in need of lifetime care, I believe that to be slightly unlucky, and it happens no more frequently than it used to.

I have however been involved in over 20 games, around 8% of all games I've played in as a senior, where life changing injuries have been sustained by a player, some of those have led to enforced career changes, certainly none of them played rugby again.

They are just the ones I know about, I just bumped into a guy who plays local rugby and I know from the game in the supermarket, who has just retired, aged 32, snapped his arm and has minimal movement in his wrist and fingers now, happened at the end of last season in a cup final, his side beat us in the semi.

The game is not one you can pick up and put down anymore, even at the bottom of dog shit level, you can't walk away for 5 years and come back anymore, you'll get hurt.

I'm in my late 30's, I've got two buggered shoulders which need surgery but they won't do it because I still play rugby (and I'm overweight) and I've got a new knee sometime in the next decade when I can't use my current one anymore, they can't do any more for it, I've got they body of a guy who played rugby for nearly 40 years in the last century and finally gave up in is 50's, and again I'm the exception, I'm a genuinely old timer when I take the pitch now at any level.

The game as we knew it is gone, the game as we know it is not long for this world IMHO

Agree completely, you don't see hardly anyone over 30 in our playing structure here (Div I,II,III). The combined effect of all the collisions with big players takes its toll.

See many more season ending or worse injuries also.

Exactly.

I've coached players as colts that have already given up due to the physical strains

It's the same at all levels, season/career ending injuries are on the rise at all levels

Can only say thats not my experience within the game. Not a scientifically based opinion, but i see no difference in injuries(below semi pro), i will say that after injury players are more likely to turn away from the game where previously they would have returned.

The biggest threat to the game is the use of size and power increasing drug use, in my view. Which is whey we are having so many muscle detachment issues and problems with massive contacts!

At our level it's all subjective, I will say that I still play so my view is slightly different to yours, my current coach shares your view with regards injury levels.

The drugs, I've always known of players on juice, I can't say that I've seen a huge increase of it at the dog shit level I play at now but I have heard that is a problem around level 3/4, ie th level where you can earn money and just below the pro level.

All subjective though

Yep ...... its a strange old game where players at a certain level take performance enhancing drugs, but they don't enhance their performance enough to get to the next level im not disagreeing with you, its just ive never been able to balance the equation.

Nasty injury, was very worrying at the time

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/41228221

Like to think in NZ size and skill are still both equal.
Our huge issue is head injuries concussion
1/2 our starting forward pack have had multiple injuries, concussions, some multiple with extended breaks, Coles and Read.
Backs in same situation with:
Ben Smith, Naholo, SBWs, Ngatai, Fekitoa, Crotty all ABs with more than 1concussion this year. Ben Smith and Charlie Ngatai on extended breaks.
Nonu too (Toulon), huge KOs last seasons

I would agree that the size issue is not an NZ problem, you still play players with skills first.

Mandatory (independent) head assessment injury checks for all players after every professional game. If anyone shows any sign of a problem they are out until its sorted. Rugby becomes a squad based game. Unions and club owners cannot force players to play if out with a head injury. More rugby players get jobs to fill larger squads.

Amateur players need to acknowledge that they are choosing to take the risk, just like I do when I surf in anything 6'+. It's their choice, they need to monitor they own health and have some personal responsibility.