Can Northampton Saints and Glasgow Warriors defend their hard-earned respective Premiership and United Rugby Championship titles? If not, who will be their biggest threats? And which individuals have the ability to exchange relative anonymity for a place in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad next summer?
The weather is half-decent, the pitches firm, the scent of freshly cut grass and embrocation reliably evocative. There is just one sizeable drawback, as every professional club executive can testify. Primarily, it is all about the price tag and whether or not the sums stack up. Out in the real world it is less about smelling the Deep Heat than absorbing the financial pain.
If anyone needed proof it came late last week. An eve-of-season board meeting would usually be about dotting the i's and crossing the t's to ensure the best chance of a shiny, happy campaign. Instead, the Premiership's power brokers have been debating whether or not a British & Irish men's league may be a better way forward. Efforts have since been made to pour cold water on the story but there is rarely smoke in rugby without some glowing embers.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 18, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 18, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
"They can't get away scot-free' EFL wants to charge Leicester with PSR breach if relegated
The English Football League wants to charge Leicester over the alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) the Premier League was blocked from pursuing this month, if the club are relegated.
Rodgers’ star on rise again as rampant Celtic extend perfect start
This proved a modern day Celtic Park rarity.
City off-colour as Gündogan's late misses hand dogged Inter a point
Manchester City know only too well how tough a nut Inter are to crack.
Significant ankle damage rules Ødegaard out 'for a while'
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has damaged ankle ligaments and will be sidelined \"for a while\" after the Arsenal captain was injured on international duty.
Salvatore Schillaci, 1964-2024 Italy mourns its goalscoring hero from 1990 World Cup
Tributes have been paid to Salvatore Schillaci after the former Italy forward died at the age of 59.
Captain Brook hands rebooted England licence to entertain
In one sense the five-match ODI series between England and Australia that starts in Nottingham today is slightly lacking in wider context.
'Any free time, I'll go fishing.My missus thinks I'm a bit weird'
Ollie Sleightholme, who is geared up for title defence, explains how angling relieves the pressures Northampton's
Itoje rejects Jones’ claims he is not suited to captaincy
Maro Itoje has rejected claims by the former England head coach Eddie Jones that he is \"very inward-looking\" and not suited to Test captaincy, after being unveiled as Saracens' skipper.
Floods and tears Worcestershire dig deep to shine despite adversity and tragedy
Somerset could still win their first County Championship title, while Surrey remain on for the three-peat.
Remote working Like it or loathe it, WFH looks like it is here to stay
Four years ago when the world of work was upended by the Covid pandemic, confident were made predictions that a permanent shift in remote working would follow the removal of lockdown restrictions.