Greene King IPA Championship
The recent announcement that both Doncaster and Ealing have had their applications to join the Premiership rejected was met by howls of anguish on Social Media. It’s very rare to see agreement on Twitter on anything, let alone rugby, but this decision was one that united fans. The vast majority of responses to the news […]
With more and more games being called off in the English Premiership and the result decided by which team caught the virus, questions have been raised about whether relegation should be scrapped for this year. Should relegation be scrapped? With the Premiership’s current system to deal with Covid cancellations awarding 4 points and a victory […]
It appears Saracens rugby players will in fact participate in some form of competition after a new Trailfinders Challenge Cup series has been created. With the Greene King IPA Championship postponed due to RFU reaction to heightened Covid-19 conditions, the demoted Saracens rugby players were looking like an idle bunch. But gratefully they, along with […]
Saracens have finally left rugby union limbo after the RFU confirmed a January 16th restart date for the Championship. After being delayed for three months the Championship is set for a January start per The Times. The news will undoubtedly be a relief to Saracens, who feared that they would be stuck in the second […]
As Saracens prepare for life in the Championship, Eddie Jones must potentially begin to prepare for a year without a full strength team. Despite Saracens’ relegation a large chunk of the core ‘Wolfpack’ has opted to remain in North London. Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly and both Vunipola boys have put pen […]
The demise of Yorkshire/Leeds Carnegie reached a sad conclusion this season after the former Premiership side dropped down to National League 1 after financial turmoil. It could be seen as a crisis that has overshadowed the great foundations of the club from many years ago. In this series we look to uncover one half of […]
Former Scotland and Worcester Warriors centre Alex Grove is preparing to swim the channel this weekend to raise money for charity. A massive good luck to @AlexGrove who is gearing up for his channel swim on Saturday 🙌🏊♂️ This is a massive challenge and he has raised a mammoth £18,620! Help him reach his 20k […]
Sean Maitland is keen to remain part of the Scotland squad during his year in the Greene King IPA Championship with Saracens next season. The winger is back in training ahead of the restart of the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens last week having confirmed he’s signed a two-year contract to remain at Allianz Park, despite the […]
The English Professional Game Board has authorised the rugby return to training on 2nd June, following government guidance on elite sport. This organisation comprises representatives of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Premiership Rugby, Rugby Players Association (RPA) and Greene King IPA Championship Clubs. Professional Game Board statement Chris Booy, Professional Game Board Chair said: “I […]
With the rugby season up in the air it could do with looking at cricket’s Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in order to decide future fixtures – if they can’t be played due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In order to finalize the tables, and ensure fair and proper qualification for the subsequent European competitions a year later, this […]
When the news of massive funding cuts to RFU Championship sides was announced it was met with widespread outrage, anger, and sadness. Undoubtedly, to an extent, these feelings are valid. The RFU has sold the Championship up the river especially with regards to the timing of the decision. Naturally, there has been some hyperbole and […]
The RFU has announced that there will be Championship Rugby funding cuts starting as early as the 2020/21 season. Clubs will receive around half the amount they currently do, down to approximately £4.3m from £8.06m. What will the impact of this be? Current state of the Championship If, as expected, Newcastle Falcons win promotion this […]
With so much conjecture and speculation surrounding the recent salary cap news, Robert Rees answers all of your questions regarding Saracens and the salary cap. Saracens couldn’t meet the criteria to get below the cap by a date set by Premiership Rugby, but what were they supposed to do? It’s a hard scenario to get […]
In 2016 the ten best teams from the North and South Premier university divisions merged to create the top British university rugby division: BUCS Super Rugby. It is now one of the most competitive leagues in the British Isles, and a fantastic breeding ground for highly talented rugby players. It’s an outstanding product, that is […]
After being struck by a financial crisis towards the end of last season, the former Premiership side Yorkshire Carnegie took the drastic decision to go part-time, with many players and staff leaving Headingley. Charlie Hynes takes a look at a few pertinent points for the club. Recruitment process difficult for Yorkshire Carnegie club With the […]
Exeter Chiefs fell to another play-off final defeat at Twickenham at the start of June, with an agonizing defeat to Saracens. That makes only one win in four Premiership finals, you may forgive Chiefs fans for thinking play-off fixtures are not for them. But when you revisit the Exeter Chiefs 2010 Championship Play-off final, you find […]
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Henry Arundell’s brilliance in the final ten minutes offered a glimmer of hope that England is still in this series. There is no disguising the fact that this was another disappointing performance by the England rugby team. England once again could not deal with their opponents going down to 14 men. Adding salt to the […]
Joe Cokanasiga and Tommy Freeman might just be the sparks that can ignite the England attack. They were the two clear positives that came out of that embarrassing defeat to the Barbarians two weeks ago. Importantly Joe Cokanasiga and Tommy Freeman worked well off Marcus Smith’s running game. The likes of Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, […]
Wales men’s rugby team arrived in beautiful but turbulent South Africa this week. The South African nation isn’t alone in experiencing tumult. Truth be told it is a current global phenomenon. Will the men’s XVs rugby provide an entertaining diversion from our perplexing and worrying news cycle? Something that the Lions tour of last year […]
With almost all of the final places secured, the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 tournament in Cape Town is fast approaching. The Madagascar women recently cemented their place in the women’s tournament draw. For emerging nations like them, this could be the highest peak of some players’ and supporters’ lives. And soon, they can make […]
With the first round of pool matches complete, the 2022 Under 20s Summer Series showcases the very best young talent from eight Tier One nations. Among the expected results, one outcome has set tongues wagging. Invitee South Africa has defeated England, to set Pool A alight! With the pandemic spoiling the previous pinnacle World Rugby […]
The SA Rugby migration to Europe has been a resounding success. The DHL Stormers defeated the Vodacom Bulls in an all-South African final of the United Rugby Championship. Ryan Jordan considers the success of the transition of SA Rugby’s franchise teams from Super Rugby to the URC, as well as some work to be done […]
Newly crowned 2021/22 Premiership Champion Leicester Tigers’ progress continues, after beating Saracens 15-12 in a pulsating final at Twickenham last Saturday. The result capped an extraordinary turnaround for a club that finished 11th in consecutive seasons only two years ago. Leicester Tigers’ progress continues to impress, so how has that come about and how will […]
The Barbarians thrashing of England’s rugby team on Sunday has heaped more pressure on Eddie Jones. With Australia eagerly awaiting a three-test match series on their home turf, it won’t get any easier for Jones or the national side. This was a chastening weekend for England rugby. Last Sunday, the Barbarians put 50 points playing […]