Are British 1st Div. rugby union clubs professional?

Question

Yesterday I saw on TV a spectacularly excellent game between London Irish (51) and Wasps (37).

The first half was perhaps the best rugby I've seen since Natal held the All Blacks to a 6-6 draw in Durban in 1958.

In fact it was a lot better, because the standard of play (thanks to professionalism I think) has improved so wonderfully since then that I have to pinch myself to believe it.

Answer 1

Yes my friend those are pros.

Little amateurs are left, here Argentina we are still amateurs.

Answer 2

Yes, the English teams are professional, and have been since 1995.

The standard has improved greatly, but then you would expect that, a lot more can be achieved with full time players than with two nights a week like in the amateur days, and then working around peoples jobs.

Answer 3

India