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England scrumhalf reveals image of leg after latest '4G' game
By Ian Cameron
England international Dan Robson has posted images of the damage done to his legs after his most recent game on a ‘4G’ pitch.
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Over the weekend Wasps crashed out of the European Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage as they were beaten 20-18 by Lyon side at the Matmut Stadium.
The Matmut is a hybrid seeded pitch which uses both natural grass and synthetic material. While many prefer it to a fully synthetic pitch, Robson clearly wasn’t a fan.
“On a positive note, that was the last 4G we play on this season,” wrote Robson on Twitter.
On a positive note, that was the last 4G we play on this season ?????? pic.twitter.com/jYDZJJLQOz
— Dan Robson (@d_jrobson) May 15, 2022
Robson is by no mean alone.
Indeed it’s a recurring theme for rugby players, many of whom have voiced their concern around the growing use of synthetic pitches in the sport. Severe friction abrasions have led to skin infections in professional players and even skin grafts, while the pitches have also been associated with an increase in knee issues.
Exeter Chiefs and England star Jack Nowell is also not a fan.
“I can’t stand them,” Nowell told RugbyPass September. “I’m in a position now that I can play on them but when I was younger I struggled quite a bit with patellar tendonitis. I had that op [operation] done eventually.
“So I’m kind of in a position to play on them, but they’re just not nice.
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“When you get through the game, you feel alright, then your Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday sessions are horrendous.
“I can’t run. I feel very, very sore, worse than I normally would after a game. I don’t know if you become robust to them or used to playing on them.”
The use of the technicality is not strictly driven by the sport, but rather the financial advantage it offers over traditional grass pitches. Clubs are able to hold a wider range of events on the pitch without having to worry about ruining the playing surface.
