Why doesn't the IRB order all teams to have players' names printed on their jerseys?

Question

It's such a help when watching the games.

Answer 1

Why bother?

It doesn't serve any purpose at all.

**Additional details**

"Extending" because you want to publicise the issue as much as possible isn't really worth it as no one has agreed with you yet.

There is no need for names on shirts. It's just a money making exercise. You can't read them from any distance so it's not going to help you identify a player.

There is no reason to do it.

Answer 2

i totally agree ^^^^^

i play 4 my local team and we dont even have numbers!

Answer 3

It serves no purpose on the field, the referee/touch judges only need to know the number and colour of a player.

If you're at Twickenham, Millenium Stadium, etc. you can't really see them, nor even at the smaller stadiums for club games. I know I never can.

Most of the time, you can tell who the player is by their height, build, hair colour/style or even by their boots.  Failing that, there is a reason for the team lists in the programme.

And if you're watching on the TV, try to make some sense out of the rubbish spouted by the commentators, they're supposed to tell you who's got the ball.

Also, if there's a last minute change to the player (injury, illness etc.) or a change in posistion there may be a wrong name on a shirt or a need to remove and then "iron on" a new one. It saves the clubs time and money.

Answer 4

In Rugby the numbers are all you need to see because they relate directly to a position.

If knowing the players name is at all worthwhile to you, you will know their position and recognise them by the number.

Answer 5

Why? As long as you've got a number there's no need to have a name