Wage Cap Cheats Have Been Able To Prosper
The Rugby Paper|December 24, 2017

Wage Cap Cheats Have Been Able To Prosper

Wage Cap Cheats Have Been Able To Prosper

The anticipation for what lies ahead is both exciting and daunting as the usual Christmas hype engulfs us all. It happens every year, we have the excitement of Europe in the run-up to Christmas and some crucial crunch matches in the Premiership just before the big day itself.

This week, although only halfway through the season, could hold the answer to how the Premiership will look at the end of the season.

The clash between the two teams we expect to be at the sharp end of the battle to survive – Worcester and Irish – is always an exciting, if somewhat desperate game to watch. Dealing with Friday night’s result makes the rest of the season a mental struggle for both sets of players, knowing any slipup could decide if they are to remain as Premiership players or possibly have to find a new club or career.

For Worcester survival is a must if they are to find a new owner who can afford to take them forward out of the yearly yoyo zone that is the bottom of the Premiership and so their 23-8 triumph over Irish was huge.

Sadly, for some clubs in the Premiership, the constant battle for survival dominates the entire fabric of the club with seasons being planned on how to survive rather than going for glory.

I say sadly but, in truth, it is the collective fault of the Premiership who have failed to ensure that the wage cap has been enforced.

Denne historien er fra December 24, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 24, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
England show who's No.1
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
1 min  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
The Rugby Paper

Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it

THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
The Rugby Paper

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-read
3 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Skivington keen to build identity
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Roebuck targets England success
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 15, 2024
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 15, 2024