The dead time is a big atmosphere killer. The scrum faffing, long TMO conferences, reemergence of water carriers on with increasing frequency. The atmosphere comes from the game being worth watching and with a bit of tempo. At the moment a lot of games are a terrible spectacle with the ball in play for way too short a time.

I guess the target audience are people who don't care that much for rugby or those who don't like to chat or to gather their thoughts during breaks in play. I don't mind the music just before the team comes out, and I wouldn't find it offensive before/after the game and at half time if it's not too loud. Maybe I could get behind the idea of playing music during kicks at goal if it drowns out the noise from the shushing dipsticks.

I am going to London Scottish v Caldy on Saturday. The only other game at RAG was the last minute win v table topping Ealing. The atmosphere generated by c.1,000 fans was an experience to behold.

Best entertainment I ever saw at rugby (by a long way) was during the Hong Kong 7s, when the Beach Boys did a set during a break. Even by HK standards, the atmosphere was incredible.