SAVE US FROM A SHUTDOWN
Lam says Premiership can fill gap left by Euro call-off
PAT LAM has called on the Premiership to fill the void expected to be left by the suspension of European competition and save rugby from shutting down.
The next two weekends were due to see both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup complete their pool stages.
But those are in doubt after the French government recommended to its clubs that cross-border elite sport should be halted in a desperate attempt to stem the spread of Covid.
Lam (above), boss of tabletopping Bristol , says England’s top flight must step into the breach to keep rugby’s show on the road.
The Bears’ director of rugby said: “This is a massive opportunity for the Premiership as a competition to bring everything forward instead of doing nothing.”
Lam says it is a win-win for rugby as not only would the sport continue, but it would be actually enhanced.
England stars are free to play for their clubs on the next two weekends – but not when the league’s next two rounds are currently scheduled. “We would have fully-loaded teams which is great for the competition,” said Lam.
“We are all prepared to play, we are all good to go.
“It is a massive opportunity for the Premiership to say, ‘ Let’s go, let’s bring everything forward and let’s get going’ because rugby is great at the moment.
“What we have learned from last season is that playing in midweek takes a massive toll on players. We don’t want to go down there again.
“If we bring games forward it is going to open up those weeks.
“So we look after heal th and safety – a n d t h e boys are training.”
Exeter boss Rob Baxter urged the Premiership to move “positively and quickly” and bring games forward.
Rugby’s wider concern is that the Macron government’s stance will impact the Six Nations Championship, due to kick off on February 6.
There is a little wriggle room as France do not play in Paris until February 28 and are not expected in the UK until March 13 – to tackle England at Twickenham.