I alluded to this in my most recent article for The Phuket News, stating: “Steve Borthwick’s England selections are more and more mystifying as are his substitutions. Maybe he has a problem with selection?”
Watching the Bristol Bears demolish Harlequins 48-24 with some fantastic attacking support play in the Gallagher Premiership last weekend left me asking why some of the Bristol team are not featuring for the national side.
South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg is already on the list when he qualifies in 2026 but surely Borthwick must consider winger Gabriel Ibitoye and scrum half Kieran Marmion?
The Bristol Bears are launching a new brand of team mobility wherein nobody rests and every player fights to keep involved and keep the ball moving forward. On this performance they should win the league and, if they do, others may well follow their style.
Elsewhere, Newcastle defied logic by earning their second win of the season against Saracens, 17-12. Despite the club being up for sale, there is plenty of spirit in the Northeast. Conversely, could this be the wake-up call for Saracens?
Northampton are finding holding on to the Premiership title is not easy, falling to defeat at home to Gloucester 17-25. With their England players being rested it seems more than one game a week is too much!
Bath won the southwest derby 19-15 leaving Exeter without a win after seven rounds and propping up the table. They too are up for sale.
In the final game of the weekend, Sale easily brushed aside Leicester 39-25. Leicester started well but faded badly and looked just a touch “heavy.” The Leicester fans are very demanding, as is the new coach!
Bath and Bristol share the lead at the top of the table, with Leicester and Saracens in 3rd and 4th position, respectively.
At international level Ireland sent the Australia home after a hard-fought win. Joe Schmidt is making progress in improving team play and the Wallabies are becoming exciting to watch again, giving credibility to the upcoming Lions tour.
This weekend it is the return to the European Champions cup and some intriguing French/English fixtures with Bordeaux versus Leicester Tigers the most competitive. Currently Toulouse and Bordeaux lead the French Top 14 competition.
FINANCIAL LOSS
Meanwhile, the English RFU declared a financial loss of almost £40 million (B1.7 billion) for 2023/24 only to then reveal that CEO Bill Sweeney had received a salary of £1mn plus bonuses during the same time period.
It points to a worrisome furture for the state of rugby union which is teetering on the brink of financial disaster. Both Exeter and Newcastle are looking for new owners after their respective incumbents opted to leave. There are even rumours of a take over from a foreign “sandy land.”
Rugby union is not Premier League football. Playing salaries cannot be sustained. Spectators often struggle to meet ticket prices and, on a cold,wet Friday evening, it just might not be an appealing prospect. Added to this is the news that the recently renamed Twickenham stadium (now Allianz) may not be used for future big rugby union matches.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.