SARRIES FEAR SHUTDOWN
Crisis could KO second- tier campaign
SARACENS SARACE could become European champions next month and fi find they have no league to play in next season. That is the astonishing position rugby union finds its itself in following the Government postponing the return of fans to sports events for six months. Saracens, who face Racing 92 in Saturday’s
Champions Cup semi- final, have been relegated to English rugby’s second tier for salary cap breaches.
But unless the furlough scheme is significantly extended by the Chancellor, it is understood many Championship clubs will be unable to afford to take part.
That could leave Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly, Jamie George and the Vunipola brothers with a big problem ahead of next summer’s Lions tour to South Africa.
“The possible Armageddon effect of this is something you don’t even want to think about, it’s too frightening,” said a highly placed Championship source. “Plans had been made to start the league around Christmas and play a 22- week season with, at worst, 50 per cent crowds.
“That would still have cost us but we could just about have got away with it. But now the only thing that can save us is if the Government prolongs furlough for selective industries including rugby.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak today outlines his strategy to
“continue protecting jobs through the winter”. Rugby will hang on to his every word.
“Only Ealing and Saracens probably could afford to play behind closed doors,” added the source. “So if nothing changes it wouldn’t be a question of clubs pulling out of the Championship so much as would there even be a Championship?”
Exeter boss Rob Baxter, above, warned of “sports clubs that are just going to disappear as businesses as they cannot be run on zero finance”. He said:
“It doesn’t take a genius to have concerns. There is a reality that this cannot go on.”
FORMER Wales coach Rob Howley will return to rugby as Canada assistant coach after his nine- month ban from the sport for betting breaches.