The Rec will host only its second Bath vs Bristol derby in ten years this weekend as this local derby returns as a key Premiership match. Recent history of Bath vs Bristol Bears Last season’s match was moved to Twickenham for the inaugural “The Clash” fixture. Therefore, it is the first time the Bath faithful […] READ MORE
Tag: Gallagher Premiership 2019/20
Lee Blackett leads new era of young English coaches
Wasps, led by 37 year old Lee Blackett, have stormed into the Gallagher Premiership final. His team will come up against serial finalists Exeter Chiefs and new European champions, of course led by Rob Baxter. This has therefore created the first final since 2013 with two Englishmen in charge of the two teams. These two […] READ MORE
Two different Exeter Chiefs stories as Women make debut
Today was a day of sunshine for both Exeter Chiefs‘ First XV’s in the West of England. The rainbows showed there was always a shower nearby though. 2016 | Exeter 34–23 Wasps2017 | Exeter 18-16 Saracens2018 | Exeter 36-5 Newcastle2019 | Exeter 42-12 Northampton2020 | Exeter 35-6 Bath@ExeterChiefs know how to get it done in […] READ MORE
Exeter Chiefs: National League to European finalists
The Exeter Chiefs have a remarkable story one which has seen them transform into somewhat unexpected Premiership champions. The club are now 2020 Heineken Champions Cup finalists. Exeter built their solid foundation step by step. The club has gone from an outdated stadium at the turn of the century, playing in English rugby’s second tier, […] READ MORE
Owen Farrell: The ban is too short
Owen Farrell faced a disciplinary hearing last night, after the red card he received over the weekend. He received a five match ban. All considered, this is far too short. What Owen Farrell got is fair in accordance to the laws, there is no mistaking that. The initial entry level punishment the committee agreed on […] READ MORE
Crunch time for Bristol and Sale Premiership title credentials
Over the next week we should have a clearer picture of who has the best Gallagher Premiership title credentials. League leaders Exeter Chiefs travel to both Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears in the space of five days; could they be knocked off the top of the table in this time? Away wins at Sandy Park […] READ MORE
Premiership Rugby restart: who hit the ground running?
Rugby fans across the country had been waiting for the Premiership Rugby restart to come and for many the wait was well worth it. The sight of our league’s signature names rampaging on turf was a joy to behold. There is also the added intrigue of the changing of players mid way through the season […] READ MORE
Rugby Players mindset, and returning to play
To say these are ‘uncharted waters’ within the English Premiership would be an understatement. And as we await the return of any rugby in England, what impact has Covid-19 brought on not only to the game but, to rugby players mindset? Those considerations are detailed here by Mark Holman, as well as the process of returning […] READ MORE
Young Gloucester Rugby coaching team assembled
A young Gloucester Rugby coaching team has been assembled and confirmed with today’s announcement that Dom Waldouck will take up the position of defence coach. Even ignoring the Coronavirus pandemic, it has been a whirlwind three months at Kingsholm. First the departure of Johan Ackermann, followed by David Humphreys and Rory Teague, left a huge […] READ MORE
CVC, TV Deals and Sustainability; is Rugby at the mercy of Private Equity?
As CVC investment into Rugby continues at a frightening pace and terrestrial rugby coverage could be coming to an end, what position does this place the sustainability of rugby? David Challis analyses the state of commercial rugby going forwards, referencing the role of private equity, the next round of television deals and where this places […] READ MORE