An applaudable effort it may have been to legitimise and commoditise this final swing, but there is an argument that they needn't have bothered. The rugby in recent weeks has rather sold itself; it is hard to remember a domestic English season as closely contested or captivating.
The penultimate weekend of the season begins with eight teams still remarkably harbouring hopes of a top-four finish, with nobody's place yet secure and only Northampton sitting (reasonably) comfortably at the top of the pile. It would take a minor miracle for Leicester to salvage a play-off spot from ninth but just six points separate second from seventh- anything could happen.
There are plenty of factors impacting this apparent condensing. The folding of three Premiership clubs during the course of last season created a surplus of top flight-ready players, concentrating the talent within English rugby and driving competition and standards at clubs. A 10-team league is perhaps a better reflection of the talent pool and interest in the top flight, however horrible the method of reducing bloat.
A stricter, smaller salary cap has helped, too - richer clubs are no longer able to spend for success - while the removal of relegation has provided stability, encouraging coaches to trust in youth and attacking ambition.
"It's unfortunate with three teams folding but it's made it very tight which is great for the competition," Danny Care, scrumhalf at Harlequins, said last weekend. "Anyone can beat anyone, which makes it exciting. We'd love to be in a position where we're guaranteed a top four space but unfortunately that's not the case."
Denne historien er fra May 11, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 11, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Besieged Sweeney fights on in face of growing rebellion
As the RFU chief executive’s future hangs in the balance, it is time for radical reform of English rugby’s governing body
'I still love doing stunts. But I've grown older, and wiser'
Michelle Yeoh, star of Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and Wicked’, talks to Louis Chilton about her new Star Trek spin-off Section 31’ and the dangers of playing action heroes
Israeli troops to remain in Lebanon beyond deadline
Benjamin Netanyahu extends target date to leave tomorrow, putting ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah under pressure
Ukraine launches massive drone attack across Russia
Moscow warns risk of major nuclear’ clash is growing
A Washington visit would help PM win over Trump
In public, Downing Street insists Keir Starmer has a good relationship with Donald Trump.
Fresh blow to Chagos deal as UK faces legal challenge
A group of indigenous Chagossian people have instructed lawyers to challenge the controversial Chagos Islands deal, in yet another blow to the government’s beleaguered agreement.
City's January spend is not enough to spark renaissance
Pep Guardiola has three new players by his side and a long four months ahead of him.
Judges in Sara Sharif case will be revealed next week
Court of Appeal bows to media pressure with its ruling
Vandals daub Captain Cook statue before celebrations
A statue of British explorer Captain James Cook in a suburb of Sydney has been vandalised ahead of Australia Day tomorrow, the second such incident in as many years. New South Wales Police said they were investigating.
Power goes out as Britain is battered by 100mph winds
‘Once in a generation’ Storm Eowyn causes travel chaos
