Uncertain times mean a 14-team Premiership may be the way to go
COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the way we go about our lives. Many industries have had to adapt to the new normal, sport is no different, and due to the nature of rugby, again no different.
The professional arm of the game has been affected badly, with spectators not allowed into the grounds to support their teams.
The very existence of the clubs that have been around for a long time is now under threat. Gloucester’s chief executive Lance Bradley suggested that the club could go out of business in the next six months, which seems a shocking statement – but it underlines the dilemma the professional game finds itself in. There was a pilot scheme that Gloucester was involved in which was led by Harlequins and allowed a reduced number of spectators into the ground.
But with latest government pandemic legislation this has now been abandoned.
The crowd pilot scheme did highlight a small number of spectators in the ground was safe and led to an all-round better match day experience and, most importantly, generated cash-flow for the clubs. With the option of crowds now not being allowed, Premiership Rugby has heaped pressure on the Government for cash assistance, to keep the professional game afloat. There are so many pros and cons to this difficult situation, because if the Government lets a percentage of the crowd in, clubs will be viable from the revenue generated, in turn saving taxpayers money with no government hand-out required.
Lower down the pyramid, the Championship, which had its funding cut already, still do not know when their season will begin.
Saracens, now in the Championship, could find themselves in the second tier of English rugby for two seasons if the league programme is not completed.
This has also bought back into focus the ring-fencing of the Premiership with potentially a 14-team league.
I was never a fan of this but with the pandemic I think this is now a sensible route to go – the caveat perhaps being whoever comes bottom of the Premiership plays the team at the top of the championship, which would generate a lot of interest.
The community game will not attempt to start playing 15-a-side fixtures until January at the earliest.
This is, of course, is a blow to community rugby and certainly puts pressure on the club finances.
Clubs may now need to think outside of the box to generate funds, especially on a Saturday afternoon.
My club, Longlevens, is holding its second touch tournament against other clubs this Saturday, at 2pm, at Longford Lane. Any spectators looking for some competitive rugby within the road4rugby guidance, please come down and support your team and rugby in general.
There are so many unanswered questions, which can create some anxiety, but to get through this one of the best remedies is to keep active, attend your club rugby sessions. Staying engaged, in these strange times, is key.
with Andy Deacon, former Gloucester prop and Longlevens director of rugby