Thoughts on the 2022-23 Season The sixth season of the (Allianz) Premier 15s league was always going to be dramatic, but few could have imagined how earth-shaking. The end of the second 3-year-block would see a review of the ten clubs’ performances, with the unavoidable possibility of one or two repeating the demise of Richmond
A number of firsts: Glos-Pury’s first victory The first final to involve two clubs outside London. The first final to be played on the home ground of one of the finalists, a feature not to be repeated. But how to be sure? Choose HQ? Vickii Cornborough did suggest it six years ago. The first time
It’s a relief to find a statement from Belinda Moore, CE of the company overseeing the Premier 15s, outlining future intentions about non ‘EQPs’ (England Qualified Players) remaining in the league. Moore says clubs will be subject to more stringent controls than before. Till now they have been penalised for fielding more than two non-EQPs.
News that Sale Sharks have signed Morwenna Talling (pictured above) has its significance. It adds a second Red Rose to their ranks after Detysha Harper made the same move from Loughborough Lightning. Both these players have northern roots, Harper in Manchester, Talling in North Yorkshire. It is highly welcome news that at last the north-south
Never before have I seen two head coaches so wracked with anguish. The tension was pretty unbearable for the neutrals – any of them present, apart from the media? – for Susie Appleby and Alex Austerberry it seemed like a choice between heaven and hell. In the time-honoured phrase, there was little love lost between
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens It’s a hard life. You finish the season with the same number of wins and losses as your coming opponents, but you have to travel around 200 miles to play them, because they scored three more bonus points than you. This is the key battle of the two semis. Second versus
Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears In the glib phrase ‘What’s not to like?’ the answer is very little. A local derby, international players everywhere you look, fans fizzing with anticipation. Then you discover that Ioan Cunningham and his staff will be present to run their eye over the Welsh players on view. Cunningham is pleased: many
The New Recruits The two new clubs, Leicester Tigers and Ealing Trailfinders, have only two examples to follow of clubs arriving fresh-faced into the elite league. But Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks provide very different stories. In short, the simplest solution to survival is money, and plenty of it. Leicester Tigers are doing the big
Since I wrote my earlier piece comes news that London Irish have been suspended by the RFU for the 2023-24 season. That makes three Gallagher Premiership sides to drop out in one season. The news from Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers is scarcely more encouraging. Both have received financial backing from their owners to help
Allianz Premier League – Round 18 Wasps v Bristol Bears The largest crowd of the season saw the Swarm win the first and second quarters, then the last minute to record their second bonus point of the season. It was an heroic display in the last ever elite match to be staged at Twyford Avenue,
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