Almost everyone expected Sarries to win, but the manner of their victory was quite shocking, and rings alarm bells about the standard of the Championship.
There wasn’t a facet of the game where Ealing caused Saracens a moment’s concern: they were physical, but not physical enough, their skills were a level below what was required, and tactically they were naïve.
If Ealing are the best the Championship has to offer, then how moderate must some of the other teams be? Of course, Saracens aren’t just any Premiership side, and how would the Trailfinders have fared against Worcester, Gloucester or Newcastle? My hunch is that while the scoreline would have been closer, the result would have been the same.
The big message, however, is that the Championship is simply not fit for purpose. English rugby needs a proper second tier, and the time is right for the Championship sides, the RFU, and the Premiership to get together to see whether there is any common ground.
Denne historien er fra June 20, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 20, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
