WHEN it finally came it heralded a new dawn and expected golden age.

For years the P-word -- professionalism -- was hardly uttered among the game's power brokers but three years ago their resistance finally waned.

No more brown envelopes, jobs for the boys and lucrative after dinner speaking jobs which neatly tied in with tours.

At last clubs and unions could pay players what they wanted and with a game as undersold as club rugby the money moved in with an eye on football's premiership.

Players could dream of a pop star's lifestyle while owners' thoughts turned to floatations, television coverage, a European cup and big, big profits.

But after the free-for-all and partying came the morning after and now rugby has one hell of a hangover.

Record defeats for the touring home nations, a one-sided five nations championship and clubs on the brink of financial ruin are just some of the problems which have afflicted the great game in the last 12 months. Last season crowds at the highest level increased but the first months of this winter have shown worrying falls.

Newcastle claimed to have outgrown their home but have now been forced into an embarrassing U-turn.

So who is to blame for the current climate and what can be done to put it on the right track?

The long-running, bad tempered and ultimately mind-numbing power wrangles in both England and Wales must surely have played a part in the current malaise.

But for once the cure is now more important than the prevention - it's time to build bridges and take the game forward.

Time is always a healer and can rescue rugby too helping current competitions to build a history and tradition which will eventually draw in the public.

There can be no doubt there is untapped potential in the club game but rugby union cannot achieve in three years what football and rugby league have done in over 100.

And at Worcester they have already sensed the future refusing to pay big transfer fees and big wages.

They are now beginning to move the other way with players going back to work even if on a part-time basis and this at a club which enjoys bigger crowds than most of their premiership two rivals.

Among the current squad there is an accountant, builders, policemen and surveyors. Other players are turning to part-time studies basis because knowing a playing career is too short to depend on for life.

Monday, November 9, 1998.