As the tournament has reached a point where it is far easier to get in than it is to get back out again, the organisers should consider opening talks with acknowledged experts in the field. Her Majesty’s Prison Service would be a perfect fit.
England’s “elite” clubs are now in the thick of a scrap for eight qualifying places. Which, with only a dozen teams in the mix, is barely a scrap at all. As Willie John McBride and his “99 call” Lions would have put it: “One in, nearly all in.”
There was more elitism in the Paris Commune. As Nick Cain correctly pointed out in these pages a week ago, the return to a 24-team tournament means the European Cup is no longer restricted to “the best of the best” – a sorry state of affairs, given the rich history of the tournament and its central place in the development of professional rugby.
Next season’s contingent from the PRO14 (or 16, or 18, or however many it happens to be this week) has already been decided: the four Irish provinces, three Welsh regions and Glasgow. Of this bunch, only Leinster, Munster and Ulster managed to win more games than they lost during their domestic campaign. Glasgow? They finished second in ten of their 16 matches – a record that should have seen them dumped in the workhouse for a season rather than invited to the ball.
Denne historien er fra May 30, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 30, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
