In his latest column, Steven Broomhead talks about the diversity - or lack of it - in rugby union

ALONG with 12.8 million of bleary eyed others last weekend I sat down for breakfast to watch the World Cup Rugby Union final.

Unfortunately, the plan by the master tactician Eddie Jones unravelled and England were outmuscled and broken by the jolly green giants – the Springboks.

It has been a long and successful tournament which despite the tragic typhoon was a wonderful advert for the hosts Japan.

For certain in a rugby league town like ours, this tournament has provided a great showcase for both codes.

During the tournament I do admit on occasions to reflecting on the stereotype that rugby union is a “posh sport”.

I should really know better as at a local level there have been great strides made to make the game accessible and inclusive.

Our local amateur clubs are doing a really good job.

At national level the England team was the most ethnically diverse team in history and perhaps the “rugger” in becoming the sport of the people?

This year more than 30 per cent of England’s World Cup squad came from ethnic minorities (compared to 15 per cent of the population).

However, when it comes to social class representation, 55 per cent of the squad attended private schools (compared to 10 per cent of the population).

Some of the places at the schools were won by scholarships – but the fact remains that “union” is still dominated by private schools.

Much is being done to promote rugby union to state schools, including here and this should be really welcomed to start to erode the reputation that it is still a posh sport.

We need more genuine northern accents such as that of Wigan’s Owen Farrell.

As I left breakfast stoically my previous optimism completely shattered I remembered that there was a General Election and Brexit to cheer me up, two more Great Britain rugby league games to be played down under and the Wire season is only 90 sleeps away.