By Peeps
March 16 2012

Once again as we get to nitty/gritty end of the season some of the topics that have raised their heads on message boards and media over the past weeks. 

ENGLISH/WALES MATCH

No not the result but the poor technical help that the broadcaster (BBC) gave to the TMO. There was a camera angle that suggested that Strettle did score, but this was not available to the TMO, as it was not part of the live feed. Surely it should be part of the deal between the broadcaster and Six Nations that it is in future.

There is also the argument that the benefit of a try should go to the attacking side.

PREMIERSHIP

Relegation down to either Wasps or Newcastle, with the latter favourites. With Dean Richards appointed to be Newcastle DOR at least he has the experience to get Newcastle back up, whether they have the crowds or infrastructure is another matter. At least it stops Dean Richards from being appointed at Rugby Lions!

CHAMPIONSHIP

News just coming through that the relegation pool poll playoffs are being scrapped for next season, too late for Coventry, but it does make it easier for teams promoted to the Championship to survive their first year instead of fighting to stay out of the bottom 4. Just the bottom side gets relegated and promotion playoffs cut down to the top 4.

London Scottish despite their supposed adequate budget of £1m plus feel that you need £1.5m to survive in the championship, no doubt costs are higher in the capital and more competition for players.

A revamp of the B& I cup with prize money/funding run on the lines of the Heineken cup.

However this means there will be 2 home games short in the season don’t know whether the treasurers will be so happy, although looking at the poor playoff crowds the format seems not popular, with Moseley only having a crowd of 700 plus in their win over Plymouth. No other crowd was over 2000.

The Stadium for Cornwall saga continues with entrenched positions on both sides is there rate payer’s money being used or not? This will drag on and on and in the meantime it appears that the Cornish Pirates side will start to split up, with some players rumoured to be on way to the premiership including ex Cov players Drew Locke and Ian Nimmo.

Relegation- with Plymouth and Esher losing their first game in the relegation fight off, it looks as it could be one of them to be relegated.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 1

An exciting league with the promotion issue still not yet sorted with 5 games to go, the Jersey Fylde match as the last game of season might solve it.

The third relegation spot is still open with Birmingham Solihull making a great attempt to escape. Their 4^th win in a row over Macclesfield sent alarm bells ringing on the clutch of teams just above them. What has not been mentioned is that Macclesfield did not play any of their county players such as the Mulcrone brothers, surely league regulations should specify that teams should play their strongest available team, especially when playing such a crucial relegation game for Bees. Great for Bees but not for the other relegation candidates.

Rugby gossip from around the websites – March edition.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 16/03/2012 12:20

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
16/03/2012 12:20

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