Ringfencing of the premiership is something that is constantly rearing it's head, whether it be ugly or not we won't know unless it ever comes to fruition. The argument for seems to gain more and more traction each time it is discussed. The task to get this over the line lies in the ability to convince all the championship teams, who each year all push to make it into the premiership, that they would be better off if this was not an option. No easy feat at all.
Ridding the top flight of the relegation dog fight could mean teams play with more of a joi de vie, taking more risks on the field rather than trying and play it safe.
The most recent championship graduates, Newcastle Falcons, have started this premiership campaign this season with a audacious bang. Dean Richards, Newcastle's DoR has admitted that they've come out the blocks fresher than most of the other teams whom all suffered a very short turn around due to the global pandemic. The pandemic has also meant that recent form cannot be taken at face value. There is surely an argument that more rest time within a currently congested rugby season, would make for more competitive and exciting matches, not to mention the huge benefits in player welfare.
The national side could too fair better from a Ring-fenced premiership. Irish rugby certainly flourishes with the set up they have but with only four teams to manage it suits their circumstance. There should be no shame in replicating parts of existing league/sports/organisational structures that work well, there is a lot we can learn this way. An Irish system would likely fail to work for the RFU, but the emphasis on looking after the international players first and foremost, and using that as a springboard to develop future talent, should be a key factor for not just the English, but Rugby as a whole.
Is there another option than ring fencing completely. Building up walls and fences is not exactly in the spirit of the game, but complex laws, systems and structures definitely is. So how about a play off game, The winning team from the championship to play against the bottom team from the premiership in a format which gives the championship team a chance to prove themselves worthy of promotion and the relegated team a chance to retain their status as a premiership club. Especially as the championship has in recent times decided to forgo their own end of season play-off games. Surely this is a compromise between having a competitive league structure and security.
But is the system even broken? Or is there a just a greater analysis on sports in general at a time when there has been little else to occupy people's minds.
For me there probably has not been a better time or ever will make radical changes within a sport. As phrases like "the new normal" and "a little different" are now commonplace. This has been, for most, a time of in depth review and action. So perhaps it is time for change.
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