Stephen Jones salutes the elder statesmen of the game in The Times.
"Two Leicester front rowers have been in the news this week. Julian White, the prop, aged 36, has signed a new contract with the club. Mefin Davies, the hooker who is all of 38 this year, is leaving – for a brand new contract at the Ospreys.
"The Ospreys lost heavily to the Newport Gwent Dragons last weekend. In a desperate attempt to drag the match back in the second half, they threw on Filo Tiatia, who is 39. Gareth Thomas, until recently of Cardiff Blues, has found not only a new club at 36, but a new sport – rugby league, for the Crusaders.
"Meanwhile, back at Leicester, White and Davies could find themselves up against Bath’s Danny Grewcock (38) and Duncan Bell (a mere 36) if chosen for Saturday’s game.
"There is always talk about the rigours of the modern game, the intensity, the size of the hits, the demands on players. If I had a pound for every time someone, somewhere in the past 15 years said that careers will get shorter and shorter, then I would be incredibly rich. I am sure I have written it a few times myself."
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