Second tier is a ‘sleeping giant’ – Boulton
CHAMPIONSHIP stalwart Phil Boulton believes the second tier of English rugby is a ‘sleeping giant’ that requires more attention to take to the next level.
The 34-year-old clocked up a century of Coventry Rugby appearances against Nottingham Rugby recently, adding to the 203 times he booted up for Bedford Blues before switching clubs in 2016.
Having played the majority of his rugby in the Greene King IPA Championship, he is better placed than most to pass judgement on the health and future of the division.
“I’ve had a long time in this league,” said Boulton. “I think I made my debut something like 14 years ago for Rotherham.
“I’ve seen lots of different changes, the league structure change and trying different things. I think that the powers that be can see the value in it, and they’ve tried to get their best out of the league with a few different things.
“What it will all come down to, unfortunately, is investment.”
The Championship has seen its RFU funding slashed in recent times, while Covid19 has had a devastating financial impact with fans locked out months.
Coventry, who have won two of their opening four rounds of the revised 2021 season, have overhauled their squad accordingly with director of rugby Rowland Winter drafting in a number of dualregistration signings to fill gaps left by depar ting players. In recent times, the Butts Park Arena outfit has provided a springboard for the likes of Henry Purdy (Bristol Bears) and Luke Wallace (Leicester Tigers) to bounce back to the for nearly 13
Premiership. Hooker Nic Dolly, released by Sale Sharks last year, scored in each of Cov’s opening three rounds, earning a move to Tigers.
“You just have to look at the international team over the last five, six, seven years, and see the amount of players that have been through the Championship to show what value that has,” added Boulton.
“Those players certainly wouldn’t undervalue it, and I definitely don’t undervalue it. Can more be done?
“Definitely more can be done. It’s a great competition, there’s some fantastic clubs in it and the support is definitely there for it, it just perhaps needs that extra bit of refinement to take it to the next level.
“Potentially you can say it’s a bit of a sleeping giant as a league.”
You just have to look at the international team and see the amount of players that have been through the Championship. Phil Boulton