Tough calls made even harder for Fowkes as Notts go part-time
NEIL Fowkes says there were conversations he would much rather have had in person than over Zoom as Nottingham prepare for the new season after transitioning to parttime basis.
But the head coach believes his side are well placed to compete in the second tier after making earnest adjustments to their way of operating after the RFU cuts and financial constraints arising from Covid-19.
Fowkes, above, said: “The board reacted quickly and made some solid decisions early which meant we could move on and face up to how things would look.
“Some of those players who have ambitions to play full-time have moved on. We want them to do the best in their careers.
“We used a lot of Zoom calls. We would have loved to have done it face-to-face with the lads but we couldn’t.
Fowkes has targeted a squad of over 32 players who will be complemented by the club’s links with Nottingham Trent University and the possibility of dual registrations with Leicester and Wasps.
“With no A-League competition for Premiership clubs next season there will be guys available on dual registration that need rugby,” added Fowkes, who guided Nottingham to sixth-place last season.
“We have a good relationship with Leicester and Wasps.”
Nottingham have new signings Carl Kirwan, and Curtis Wilson locked in for the new Championship season; a start date for which will be determined by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the powers at Twickenham.
Fowkes added: “The RFU are meeting regularly with the Championship chairmen. Our chairman Alistair Bow is in regular contact, as is Steve Smith our COO. They are working towards a plan.
“When we come back we want to stay back and that means doing things at the right time.”
■ CORNISH Pirates chairman Paul Durkin believes they won’t play until the New Year.
“My gut feeling is that it is likely to be the start of January,” said Durkin. “If by then we have a percentage of crowds allowed it becomes financially feasible.”
All of Durkin’s players are furloughed, and he estimates the cost of testing his squad and coaches twice a week for Covid-19 when they return to be between £25,000-£40,000 per month.
“From November furlough ends and we will have to pay our contracts. If there is no money coming through the gates you can guess the consequences.”
■ EALING Trailfinders will play a double header against Newcastle Falcons to prepare for the 2020/21 season.
The top two from the 2019-20 Championship will play the first leg at Trailfinders on Saturday, November 7 and the return at Kingston Park six days later.