TIGERS HAVE LOST THEIR BITE
THE PICTURE is almost complete, but something familiar is missing. For the first time since 2004, the Premiership play- offs won’t feature Leicester.
In the city itself there is shock and grief. Captain Tom Youngs could barely contain his despair when he spoke after Friday’s home defeat against Newcastle. Beyond that part of the East Midlands, there is recognition that this represents a seismic shift in the domestic rugby landscape.
By reasonable reckoning, the Tigers are alone among the English elite in being able to claim the ‘big club’ tag with long-term conviction. Others have come and gone, or lacked elements of grandeur.
Saracens have had a modern-day dynasty, but not yet the status that goes with mass public support and a big, iconic ground. Wasps have won titles but lived a nomadic existence. Harlequins and Northampton have earned trophies but also been relegated.
Exeter are the new force and will deservedly finish top of the table. But there has been one constant in recent memory: Leicester in the top four. They have done it for the last 13 years, but they won’t in 2018. During that long period, Saracens have been next-best, reaching the play-offs nine times, followed by Northampton (six) and Wasps (five).
But this is not a birthright. It must be earned. Those who rightly cherish the first- past- the- post league format will argue that months of weekly hard labour deserve to be rewarded above the current system, which often comes down to fine margins in a money-spinning grand final.
But the model in place contrives to produce high drama and there is added intrigue this time as Newcastle have made the cut for a play-off place.
They could visit Exeter, which would pit the two domestic teams of the season against each other. Even mighty Saracens had a slump late last year, but the Chiefs have been supremely consistent. The Falcons soared high and didn’t succumb to vertigo, while most other Premiership sides blew hot and cold. Rob Baxter (Exeter) and Dean Richards (Newcastle) have thus struck a blow for the embattled English coaching fraternity.
If it does come down to Exeter v Newcastle and Saracens v Wasps, or vice-versa with the away teams, it is difficult to look beyond those with home advantage, which would lead to a repeat of the 2016 final.
That would be fitting — and it could be a classic. Meanwhile, Leicester will be stewing, and plotting a way to re-establish the status quo.