I can’t help but feel that the European Rugby Champions Cup is a pre-runner to the formation of a European league, or maybe two, with promotion and relegation. Player transfers between French, Italian and UK rugby clubs is growing in both directions and the exchange of coaches will help dissipate new ideas.
Bath kicked off the weekend’s Champions Cup games with a home fixture against former champions La Rochelle. The latter like this competition and quickly raced to a 21-7 and, despite Bath fighting back, they ultimately fell short in a 24 -20 loss.
Last seasons finalists Bordeaux and Toulouse had emphatic wins over Leicester and Ulster, respectively, Bordeaux winning 42-28, Toulouse 61-21. The unlimited amounts of money available to French clubs serves as a warning to World Rugby that players will be tempted to migrate to the top French clubs from other parts of the world in search of huge contracts, similar to the situation being witnessed in Japanese club rugby. Furthermore, with tighter financial caps being imposed on UK clubs there will be an inevitable imbalance in playing talent.
I have been personally saying for many seasons we must improve our academy coaching and playing structure. Spectators must become more aware of the talent emerging at their club. If you question the talent, go to your local club on Sunday morning and see who’s running around, boys and girls. Every international player was a 12-year-old boy or girl once.
Meanwhile, the furore over RFU chief Bill Sweeney’s enormous salary continues to rage. Three former chairmen are calling for resignations, claiming “enormous & irreparable damage” has been done to the RFU reputation. Martyn Thomas, Graeme Cattermole, and Brian Baister want a new leadership team.
One senses some changes will have to be made to satisfy corporate and sponsorship power brokers, as well as spectator unrest, not only with performances but also the price of tickets. Watch this space.
Finally, on the Thai domestic scene, Sydney-based Gordon Rugby Club headed home from the Chiang Mai 11s tournament recently raving about the value of overseas clubs taking part in Thai tournaments. The Chiang Mai 11s fits perfectly into Australian club’s pre-season preparations and no doubt many more clubs will follow once the word begins to spread. Three days R&R in Patong, Phuket on the way back Down Under was just the icing on the cake!
For more information on all thing’s rugby or World Rugby courses in Northern Thailand contact chiangmaicobras@gmail.com.
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.