Thirty men battle it out on a muddy pitch together in search of victory. Exchanging fair blows and rough play. Only to strengthen bonds of friendship and respect afterwards. A little bit like Robin Hood and Friar Tuck standing on a log bridge batting each other with wooden poles. Today, such notions are often seen as being shamefully aggressive and embarrassingly male. Back then, perhaps men were more than willing to engage in activities of explicit physical risk.  

Through rugby, some of those core ideals of masculinity are kept alive today.