[churchman phil]

I have often mused about this problem myself. I agree the game is maybe a tad faster and slicker, skills are also up a bit too. I think fitness today may also have an edge. There are also some great players.
BUT....
Put a player of Matthews capability and values on the field today and he would still run rings around the majority of our so called Premiership stars. You've got to think he'd have lightweight, hi-tech football boots, a lightweight hi-tech football and lightweight kit which would all go some way to offsetting the fitness void. Add on to that the fact if he was tackled and lost the ball he would stay on his feet 90% of the time and not collapse in a heap as though he'd been felled by Marciano.

I really think he'd do well in todays game.