So Why Has Rugby Just Gone North In The North?

Brendan Gallagher looks at the sad demise of top flight rugby in the North, save for Sale and Newcastle.

- Brendan Gallagher

SALE entertain Newcastle on Friday night in the big northern derby – or the Sharks play the Falcons if you prefer – and both clubs seem in buoyant mood with everything to play for.

Sale, given their quality signings over the summer, can surely at least target a place in the play-offs while given last season’s improvements Newcastle should be aiming for a top six spot and a place in the European Challenge Cup.

The fact remains, however, that in the 30 seasons of Courage League and Premiership rugby – the former started in the 1987-88 season – these two powerhouses of northern rugby have garnered just two titles between them. And a possibly larger than expected cast of other northern clubs who have featured in either the old Courage League First Division or the Premiership makes for sorry reading with more than one currently struggling for their very existence.

The feeling persists that northern clubs generally have underperformed in the top flight but is that fair? In the dog eat dog world of professional rugby is it unrealistic to expect them to compete against the big hitters from the South and the Midlands? Should we in fact be praising the likes of Sale who by hook or by crook are starting their 24th consecutive season the top flight.

First we ought to set out what constitutes the North in rugby terms. My hugely unscientific definition is any team north of Nottingham. In fact if you play your rugby in Penzance or Exeter, Nottingham seems like the North as well, it’s certainly a hell of a drive up the motorways. I’m almost tempted to include them as well.