WRW #9: TIGERS ON HOLD
I knew Saints were worried about Jasper Wiese, but...
NO FROM NORTHAMPTON (& MAYBE BAYONNE?…)
The news streamed in at around 11.30am on Wednesday morning to confirm what we had expected, that Saints’ recent Covid-19 outbreak has put paid to Saturday’s East Midlands Derby.
You just hope that everyone at Franklin’s Gardens is safe and recovers in due course. Having had a close call myself last week, I wouldn’t wish the worry on anyone and these players and coaches all have relatives and family members too.
What it means from a practical, hard-bitten professional (ie cynical and self-interested) perspective is that Tigers are almost certainly set to pick up 4 more points and move further away from the bottom.
But it is another cancellation in a recent flurry, numbering five in all. I keep an Excel sheet of the Premiership table and may well have to add a column for cancelled games.
It’s a real pity too because both sides will feel that they have begun to turn the corner following poor form. Northampton’s recent win over Worcester ended their horrible run while Tigers have now won their last three in all competitions.
The question is already being asked though, how many more cancellations will necessitate a pause in the season? Unless Government itself steps in to halt professional sport, can you see any Premiership owner agreeing to a halt?
But what about the French?
With two games cancelled in three weeks, there is already concern over the Challenge Cup fixtures with Bayonne and Brive, the first of which is due to take place a week on Saturday at Welford Road.
You’ll recall that there was an outbreak of cases among the Leicester squad which led to the cancellation of the Boxing Day game at Newcastle. At the same time, Bayonne have had a longer-lasting outbreak and have not played in the Top 14 since, their game this weekend versus Toulon the latest to be postponed.
It’s moved quite quickly over the last few days, so let me go over the timeline:
Sunday - Bayonne release a statement and give an interview to French television, saying they will pull out of their remaining two European games.
Monday - EPCR release their own statement, with the key last line:
In addition, it can be confirmed that no club participating in the Heineken Champions Cup or Challenge Cup has officially informed EPCR of any intention not to fulfil their remaining fixtures in the 2020/21 season.
The Guardian explained the issues at hand, with essentially the French who test in midweek, concerned that English clubs test at the start of the week and thus are more likely to become positive before gametime.
Yesterday, RMC Sport, a respected French outlet, suggested that a European boycott was becoming more unlikely following a meeting of the Top 14 top brass. But the cancellation of Scarlets v Toulon and Cardiff Blues v Stade Francais are apparently as major bugbears as the medical protocols.
"The clubs are very worried, according to a president at the end of the meeting. Discussions have concerned health protocols so that the British adapt to French procedures, with tests carried out three days before the matches."
Let’s wait and see what happens next week, but I am highly suspicious of Bayonne turning up in the East Midlands next week.
ONE THOUGHT ON BATH
Will have more time to analyse over the weekend, but love this…
Imagine what he could do in 80 minutes, not 70.
NO MORE LIONS?
For the first time ever, there are grounds to be contemplating whether or not 134 years of tradition and the British & Irish Lions are coming to an end.
That is written with no real confidence, but there is a genuine problem with this year’s tour to South Africa. Covid-19’s impact stretches as far as the Cape and who has expectation that the 30,000-odd strong contingent could be safely let in?
Hence a flash of headlines in recent days since the Lions put out a statement, be it in the papers or online.
There are many who have a vested interest in the Lions fading away - chiefly, the Premiership clubs who really really hate anyone else getting hold of their prize assets - the players.
But throw in the national team coaches whose credentials are judged way away from the quadrennial jamboree and although they have little say on the matter, the countries who need more help from World Rugby to make rugby a truly global game. Too often, they are left as an afterthought.
But the powers-that-be need the Lions to take place, primarily for economic reasons. For one, we are told South Africa desperately requires the injection of funds the sea of red would bring to its economy. Australia and New Zealand are in the same boat when they get their turn. Argentina, Japan - you’ve got no chance and unless there is a lucrative home game to be staged, the Pacific Islands won’t be staging any games either.
I fully expect a deal to be done - whether it involves a one-off tour around the British Isles or moving the tour wholesale to 2022. But suppose the Lions ended, what would be the consequences?
The biggest issue is economics. Unless a financial remedy was found, the economy of the world game would swing even more decisively in the Northern Hemisphere’s direction, with no once-in-12 -years bumper payday for each of the South’s big three. That would leave clubs and unions further North with even more armoury to tempt willing partners to make the trip. South Africa would be in real trouble, especially.
And whatever your tribal loyalties, that is not a good thing.I’m not sure it would leave the top players more rested, though there would be a handful of fewer games. No doubt tours for each individual nation that summer would become more serious, as if any tour under Eddie Jones was a holiday camp.
The idea of a Club World Cup has been mooted once every four years but would it have more global exposure and room for growth in the Lions slot? Plenty who go to Welford Road might like the idea of more foreign trips (dependent on qualification of course) but would this allow more room for global growth?
For a game that professes to be a global game where most modern tours are now internationals-only, is the idea of the old Imperial power spending two months amid the colonies just a bit too anachronistic?
What does the passing sporting fan in Japan, the United States, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Georgia make of a Lions v Australia series?Furthermore, do we expect the game to be treated truly seriously when its major functions are run from within the Home Nations and its decisions still reflect a largely Commonwealth game?
All in all, is the Lions that precious a concept to maintain? I love it but I’m not sure it’s quite the crown jewels…
ACADEMY KIDS TO LOOK FORWARD TO
One thing that did pass me by during the brief mid-season break, was the confirmation of Tigers’ latest batch of Academy kids. There are 55 names in all and some familiar names are included
Among those returning for a second year include Ollie Chessum’s brother - and reportedly an even bigger unit - Lewis, George Martin’s sibling Felix who plays in the centre, plus Harry Read, the son of Mitch Read who played for Tigers until a serious injury in the late 90s. Jed Gelderbloom - whose dad Glenn was part of that Heineken Cup winning era - is also back for more.
There is quite an international influence too.
Young South African-born fly-half Divan Grobler is now at Rugby School but attended the same Durban college as the Du Preez brothers of Sale Sharks fame.
Phoenix Naulu-Togagae has a name to conjure with. Born in Brisbane but English-based for some time, Phoenix is the son of a rugby league pro, Quentin with Samoan heritage.
While he was a member of the Wakefield Wildcats academy at one stage. Phoenix has been playing union regularly as part of the Yorkshire RU setup.
Another Yorkshire-based junior Saimone Tobeyameni - originally from Fiji - is also in the group.
Good luck to these and all the other boys included.
CHEAP SHOTS
Craig Evans of Wales and Italy’s Gianluca Gnecchi to referee Leicester’s next two European games though as discussed, whether they take place is another matter.
Sara Cox and Hollie Davidson of England and Scotland will referee 2 Challenge Cup ties.
No pressure on Hollie - she has Newcastle’s game with Castres at Kingston Park. Good luck handling Deano!
RUNNING FROM DEEP
“Roko, Joe, JJ, Ruaridh, all of those boys, when they get the ball one-on-one they are deadly and if we can give them the ball in promising positions they can do magical things.
“It is frustrating for me, especially as I want to be a ball player, when I don’t get the ball I want because that means I can’t get front foot ball for them.
“If we don’t play well and lose the ball too much it means they don’t get the ball at all and for a team like us who have players like them that is a killer.”
Penny for thoughts of Bath’s forwards after watching their back three catch nothing, but a cold off George Ford’s spirals.
Don’t shake hands, according to the Times.
Although fist-bumps are commonly used by coaches on the sidelines, players on the field have been frequently breaching social distancing guidelines by shaking hands with opponents on the final whistle, in keeping with rugby’s tradition of sportsmanship.
Interesting line about Worcester’s new coach, too
Crucially, Galthie’s chosen 23 will also be rested during the competition’s break weeks rather than have to turn out for their Top 14 clubs.
The agreement, to be reviewed later this year, has been reached in the spirit of giving Les Bleus the best possible of chance of winning the 2023 World Cup, which they are hosting.
Unless you are a terrorist, murderer or equivalent, there is a good chance the independent panel will find a mitigating factor to reduce your sanction.
More to come next week when hopefully the Covid gods will smile on us at last.
Stay safe…the vaccines are on their way.
Another great read Chris, thank you. Like you, I wish the Saints players, coaches and staff a speedy and full recovery; I know it's often said 'it is but a game' well it is when compared to the health of people and their families. Shame though, I was looking forward to the 5pts
Tigers could be having a long break if Bayonne don't turn up; I guess that'll meet the England boys obligatory standown post the AIs and give our Covid sufferers longer to recover.
Not sure a pause, or suspension is the answer; midweek games don't work and I can't see where the room is to re-schedule matches, unless Europe is kicked totaly into touch and suspended matches are played in the subsequent free weekends.
Lions is an interesting conundrum; I've seen some suggestions that they tour the UK; doubt SA will be too happy with that. Brian Moore suggests it continues but behind closed doors. Think this still has some way to run yet.
Stay safe