Am I being very dopey, or is English rugby going haywire?
As the women’s elite level looks forward to ten years of ever growing professionalisation, the men’s game is falling apart. Two clubs have already been banished from the Gallagher Premiership, and a third, London Irish is on the brink.
Leicester Tigers, whose women are about to join the Premier 15s, admit to facing ‘challenging circumstances’ (for which read ‘millions of pounds’), and the once buoyant Exeter Chiefs have had to draw their horns in.
You can let me know which other clubs are looking at a stable balance-sheet.
If the women’s 2023-24 season kicks off as the 10-year strategy outlines, that will at least be a relief. But as yet there has been no announcement of any media interest, which must be central to the future well-being of the league.
In many respects the women’s game is blooming. More women and girls are taking up the sport; the standards in the league go on rising; the Red Roses still rank first in the world, though they face a real challenge next autumn with the top level of WXV taking place in Aotearoa.
But where can we find examples of the women’s section of an established club continuing to blossom while the men’s founders? Perhaps Worcester Warriors, where Jo Yapp and her colleagues have achieved wonders in the face of the most challenging conditions. But even they have had to appeal for contributions amount to £50K to see them through the season.
Wasps are disappearing down the plughole.
It’s hard, if not impossible, to see how the next ten seasons can work out as the RFU’s long-term strategy forecasts.
Back to the Present
This weekend sees the last round of the regular AP 15s season, with the four leading clubs, Gloucester Hartpury, Exeter Chiefs, Saracens and Bristol Bears each with a point to prove.
The Big Match could hardly be bigger; first meet second at the Alpas. Although G-H are out of reach in first place, an away win would fill the Chiefs’ sails again. But they lie only three points ahead of Sarries who have a much less testing visit to Lightning, a club that has found winning a tough ask this season. If they fail to beat Sarries, then the StoneX may find itself hosting yet another play-off.
The Bears know they can’t look forward to a home semi, despite an away banker against a crestfallen Wasps. The Black and Golds are inviting all past and present Swarmers to attend the final rites at Twyford Avenue.
That is where professional rugby can get you.
