By peeps- no responsibility taken for the efficacy or not of these comments.
February 14 2012

RFU –report on rugby in the North seemingly at the behest of Leeds and Sale Sharks the RFU are looking at ways to pump money into the ailing! Northern rugby scene. Is it really ailing, the community rugby side is doing well with plenty of grassroots clubs. However the agenda seems to be led by Steve Diamond (Sale CEO) who wants the RFU to prop up the professional game up north.

You have to ask yourself why, if it can’t compete with Rugby League and football then so be it, clubs will have to cut their cloth accordingly.

Why should any area be singled out -whatever next Cornwall, East Anglia, Moseley or the South-East.

Regional rugby

Seemingly coupled to this report is the suggestion that regional rugby makes a come back - is this the start of the franchise system as per Wales. Look what happened in Scotland the border clubs with their history were combined with little or no support for the regional side, even now the Glasgow and Edinburgh sides get small crowds.

This regional idea has surely had its day most supporters look for their local team not an amalgam of disparate teams and history. Even the dead duck of reinforcing the county game is gaining credence - mainly in Lancashire as it seems a way to get RFU largesse.

Championship

The rumours are abound that next season the Championship will be kept at 12 teams but no relegation playoff for the bottom 4 sides, but a straight relegation for the bottom side, at the end of the season. The shortfall in fixtures will be made up by a revamped British and Irish cup with the RFU providing additional funding. Promotion to the Premiership will involve a playoff off of the top 2 or 4 sides. If 2 sides will be on a home and away basis.

The team to be relegated to National League 1 this season will come from either Esher, Plymouth Albion, London Scottish or Moseley. Esher managed their first win of the season last week over London Scottish, who have found it more difficult in the Championship than their budget suggested.

National league 1

Once again financial shenanigans at Cambridge resulting in Bob Crooks going and 8 players leaving as their contracts terminated (although surely proper notice of determination has to be given). Allegedly players remaining are not to be paid but it is known that most will get positions with various sponsors.

Rugby Lions

Neil Back has been at it again haranguing poor defenceless officials at the Longton match, evidently he thought it was too much that his Rugby Lions All Stars had to demean themselves in such outposts.

What is really happening there? Have funds ever been provided? Are all the stars still there? Oh for an investigative journalist - if there are any left in this world.

Weather- games cancelled

No not talking about the France/Wales match when it was obvious earlier in the week it was going to be off but the lack of care for traveling fans.

It started 2 weeks earlier when Blaydon cancelled the Coventry match on the morning of the game, when it was unplayable on the Friday and no thaw expected. Wasted journeys and costs for fans and players alike - not good enough.

Same thing happened the week after with Nottingham and London Welsh calling off games at last moment. Both teams have history with later call offs , cynics has suggested that they didn’t want to lose pre-booked meals and sponsors lunches—once again the ordinary fans are subservient to the alickadoos.

Rugby gossip from around the websites February edition...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 14/02/2012 21:07

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
14/02/2012 21:07

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