Resumption latest
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Topic: Resumption latest
Posted By: islander
Subject: Resumption latest
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 18:22
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Article below from the Telegraph concerns the Prem, but gives a (rather pessimistic) glimpse into the potential longevity of the current crisis, and would have wider implications, including for Championship including our outgoing (Falcons) & incoming (Sarries) members... (as well as internationals, Lions, Europe etc)... But of course this is speculative and only options at this stage.
Premiership Rugby is fast-tracking
innovations – including remote-camera technology – and planning the logistics
for playing behind closed doors, with a growing acceptance within clubs that
crowds are unlikely to return until next year. It is understood that clubs are determined https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/03/23/premiership-rugby-considering-midweek-matches-order-finish-season/" rel="nofollow - “Everyone wants to finish the season.
The clubs would rather finish it in October and November than write it off. We
would then have around a four-week break and find a way of playing a little
longer into next year.” Nine rounds of this season’s league
remain, as well as semi-finals and the final, with no formal indication of when
action will be allowed to resume. However,
contingency plans to return, possibly as early as late June, are understood to
be at an advanced stage, based on the https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/28/uk-lockdown-rules-restrictions-coronavirus/" rel="nofollow - Testing players for Covid-19 will
also be key, although clubs want to proceed only if there is no drain on NHS
resources. If it is feasible, players would be tested before coming back into
training camp and then be quarantined in hotels ahead of a round of matches. It is likely that each round of six
matches will be played at one stadium across a weekend. Three rounds will be
played midweek to complete the league the end of August, with full squad
rotation to protect player welfare. “There is a hope that if the
Government relaxes social distancing next month, even if it is the end of the
May, it means we can bring the players back into impact training in June,” said
a Premiership source. “They will need four weeks of contact training so the
screening and testing protocols need to be in place by then. We could look at
getting started by the start of July, which means we could finish the season by
the end of August. “It is a dynamic model but the
intention is to play every game. The clubs and players want to play every game.
No one seems to be interested in awarding points for fixtures, that would be an
act of last resort. “We won’t do anything unless it is
safe, we won’t do anything that takes resources away from front-line services.
We know where we sit in the hierarchy of important things. “There is an acceptance that squads
will be rotated to ensure that the selection process is appropriate for each
player. No one in a club wants to do anything to put any athlete in harm’s way. “We could have all 12 teams in
quarantine and locked down and play six games over one weekend. It is one of a
number of quite different ideas.” The contingency plans could also lead
to a revolution in broadcasting, with host broadcaster BT Sport considering
fitting out stadiums with up to 15 remotely controlled cameras to remove the
need for film crews. With no crowds as a backdrop, it is thought that new
camera angles are being considered. Several stadiums, including
Twickenham and the Ricoh Arena, are under consideration as locations, with the
key criteria being broadband connectivity and on-site medical facilities. “One of the things that has been
worked on with BT is not having to deploy camera crews,” said a source. “They
will rig up the stadium with around 12 to 15 remote control cameras and then
run the whole production from their master control room in Stratford. It
requires a lot of broadband connectivity. Sometimes crises lead to technology
jumps. BT seem keen to make it happen.” Clubs are considering options to make
matches accessible to supporters while retaining social distancing. Leicester
are thought to be considering plans to set up a drive-in cinema-style facility
for supporters to watch games on a big screen in car parks at Welford Road. |
Replies:
Posted By: dropout22
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 18:26
Proper out of the box thinking from Leicester that! |
islander wrote:Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 19:50
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Sensible type of article, only thing I would question is why look at holding at Twickenham? I am assuming no crowds allowed so it would be far better to hold rounds at Premiership grounds where hiring the stadium will be much cheaper. After all who hold games with 80000 empty seats when you can hold it with 15000 empty seats? I am totally amazed at the articles suggestion. Another thing I've seen online is an article by Hugo Monye suggesting having no-contest scrums - to me that would be farcical. All games need to be televised, with normal 3 games a round on BT to satisfy contractual obligations and the other 3 on free-to-air or streaming. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Albert Fishwick
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 20:11
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It may be because they want access to on-site hotel accommodation, this has been mooted for England cricket games. I guess this allows a degree of segregation, though if someone gets it you would think they all might. ------------- That's easy for you to say. |
Posted By: Pirate Pig
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 21:10
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A lot of big If's in all of these arrangements which is driven purely by financial greed by the premiership clubs. They are desperate to avoid losing television money should they fail to complete the season. There is a total disregard for the players, fans, other clubs and the wider community in these difficult times.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 22:05
Whilst I agree about the money side, they are no different to the Football & Cricket - they desperately want to resume to protect the brand - fans won't be allowed so they don't come into it, in fact isn't it better to finish the season behind closed doors with.games televised or abandon the season. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 22:48
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Unnecessary movement....stay at home .....spacial awareness..... rugby, football, horse racing......whatever sport is unnecessary. Moving large numbers of people around in close proximity makes no sense. Saving lives is what is important. Come on the organisers, this is too important to get wrong. All stop until next season has to be right.
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |
Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 22:57
| Part of me is thinking that clubs are desperate for the money (broadcasting money I would have thought) there’s going to be a tranche of people wanting money back from clubs that are already stretched. Given that Tigers have offered up their car park to the Royal Infirmary I would love to know where they intend to put this drive in facility as Granby Halls probably isn’t big enough to accommodate it. |
Posted By: Dobber
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2020 at 23:22
Ian Wright pointed out that just because the crowds won't be there, the club's physios would be, the team doctors, the paramedics assigned to matches as would normally happen - when they're over-stretched already and desperately needed elsewhere. Just because there's no crowds wouldn't mean footballers don't stop rolling around the ground in agony every time they're tackled... Referees and linesmen. Players would still want feeding after a match for those teams that have travelled a distance to play before they make a return trip, so there may be chef and kitchen staff... Ball-boys would presumably be dispensed with and players would have to collect their own balls but the whole premise was a nonsense if these were going to be serious competitive matches.. If just one player showed signs of the virus everyone would be under close scrutiny and immediate lockdown. Alright for the paid players, but the support staff, kitchen staff, chef et al aren't getting paid for that sort of commitment if it goes pear-shaped and they have to be locked in, especially if they have family commitments.. What do you do about players spitting on the pitch? Not the nasty throat-clearing spitting, but just the minor mouth-clearing after they've been sprinting down the wing after a ball... What about those players you see from time to time using a 'Sportsmans Hankie' and emptying their nostrils out onto the pitch? (or onto their shirts if they haven't taken into account wind direction) ...and when it comes to social distancing in football every time the ref blows his whistle he has ten players pressing up against him screaming into his face in complaint... ...that at the very least has to stop.... With rugby being even more of a contact sport it's going to be a long while till anyone can safely say the game is 'Safe to Play'. Accountability. Who will be responsible if something went wrong? Their head would be on a spike outside HQ.... ....suggesting uncontested scrums from the start of a match smacks of complete desperation... ..may as well take a couple of guys off the pitch from the whistle if they do uncontested and call it rugby league...
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Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 12:05
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 12:49
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I imagine this 'restart sport from the bottom up' suggestion from the WHO has gone down like the proverbial lead balloon in Premiership boardrooms... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/52465031" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/52465031
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Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 13:56
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It is all down to money as they would have to pay back BT if the season ended. Perhaps other than Sale who have the ability to potentially spring a surprise and become Champions for the 1st time in a long time. |
Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 19:04
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Promise,this is the last rant from me. If you have been to a sell out game at Welford Road Leicester v Saints perhaps so many people so much atmosphere. Well imagine playing it behind closed doors...not quite the same... why? imagine they were all dead, because that is what the death toll is at the moment. Don't let's fill Twickenham or maybe I should say empty. Think about your nearest and dearest and everyone else PLEASE.
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 19:17
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Well said. Brings it home the true reality of this pandemic a full Welford Road stadium of people dead ....so far.
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Westcoaster
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 19:39
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It is crazy that the Premiership think they can restart and complete the season. Just consider what is happening: many have died and sadly there will be more. Thousands have lost their livelihoods and more will in the next couple of months. Rugby comes a long way down in the pecking order, headed by family, health and the national economy. No sign of the end of lockdown for another few weeks and they want to complete this season in the summer and into next season  .It isn't going to happen and the Prem, BT etc should move on and accept that this season has finished. Better to see what the next few months brings and start the new season in the Autumn - hopefully. If they are still trying to finish games come July and August, what happens to pre season and Championship Clubs' squad building ?? Or need I ask....... ------------- Come on Jersey........ |
Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2020 at 19:52
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At the end of the day, who knows how long a vaccine will be. Granted at the moment these measures are probably prudent but I know there are those who want permanent lockdown until 2022 and beyond and this isn’t going to work. There is already much unrest and other countries haven’t just laid down and accepted it, there has been major civil unrest in France and Italy. The government have already admitted there is concern about civil unrest here. That said I agree with the Premiership just writing their season off. As well as my Championship team I have a season ticket to a Premiership club that I have already paid for this season and am paying (for next season) a considerable amount of money for per month. I would rather the season was just shut down because it’s all getting a little bit silly now. Just get on with next season already. I’m still living in hope that next season might go ahead, albeit a little late but better late than never.
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Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 15:50
| Don’t forget that the Championship can easily reclaim 9 weeks by simply dropping the cup competition. That would mean that the start of the new season could be delayed and we would then have, pretty much, uninterrupted, meaningful rugby through until late April.... just a thought. |
Posted By: French Connection
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 16:34
| There hasn't been any 'major unrest' over here in France at all. Not sure where that came from. The vast, vast majority of people have been totally compliant and in complete agreement with the lockdown. The government are planning to start easing things and reopening schools on May 11 and in a massive poll yesterday over 60% disagreed with this and thought that measures should stay in place - somewhat surprisingly to me. |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 17:10
Same applies to the Premiership - it is level 3 and 4 which have little scope for a late start. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 17:15
Even if schools are re-opened, I'm not sure attendances would be that high - only a small percentage of those eligible to attend school because of parents being in key jobs have been going - as parents would not have confidence in it being safe. Also by time schools are set to re-open it will be nearly time for Summer Holidays so why bother - re-open in September hopefully. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 18:24
BBC news. Blame them!
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Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 18:50
| Even in September they are talking about Schools applying social distancing rules, that means schools cannot function how they have been in the past, not enough rooms, teachers. Going to be interesting times. |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 20:15
Worst of all Pubs are going to be a thing of the past for a long time. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: SKalpy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2020 at 21:30
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Raider, If pubs are going to be a thing of the past for a long time then so are the 4 bars at my rugby club.
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Posted By: Member728
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 07:58
Technically speaking Raider they should be negative
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Posted By: JonDee
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 08:42
They are going to have to adapt talking to a friend in Germany pubs have been open for weeks. There is an outside bar you queue order your beer its provided in bottles and you go and sit at separate tables unless you are with family seems to work for them |
Posted By: Intouch
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 09:20
Christ who is their right mind would now want to go to the pub with their family. You have had 6 weeks worth in 4 walls, you want to get out, meet friends not go the the pub and have a bottle and chat with the family. Everybody been doing that for the last few weeks!
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Posted By: Fly Half
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 10:06
I've totally given up on BBC News - they constantly run stories on the 4/5% who are unhappy,not the 94/95% who therefore are happy.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 10:31
Yes I totally agree - also they seem to concentrate almost exclusively on interviewing minority groups rather than being representative of the public at large. Also having been off for 6 weeks I can't help but notice the vast numbers of people who appear for a couple of minutes during news programmes. I'm sure these people aren't on minimum wage so it should be easy for them to cost cut to protect over 75s free licences ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Jerorky
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 10:41
| French Connections, I'm amazed that you are so surprised that so many in France disagree with their Government when when the only word you need to communicate in their language is "NON". For the sake of clarification - this is not being cloudberry, just long time observation of my dear, near, neighbours. |
Posted By: JonDee
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 12:59
Only put that last bit in because someone was leaning over my shoulder haha |
Posted By: billesleyexile
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 14:17
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Meanwhile, strong hints of what's to come as Bradford City suspend 20/21 season ticket sales.... https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18420515.bradford-city-stop-season-ticket-sales/" rel="nofollow - https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18420515.bradford-city-stop-season-ticket-sales/ ------------- keep the faith |
Posted By: French Connection
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 15:30
You're not wrong in a sense - the French certainly seem to have something inbuilt which makes them disagree with virtually everything that the government says. However all our friends and relatives here whom we talk to on Skype etc do nothing but moan about the severity of the lockdown and talk about how they can't wait for it to be over - and that's why I was a little surprised about the general opinion. Then again, we have hardly any cases in our region so not many people have any direct knowledge of it's devastating effects and that probably explains it. |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 16:20
| Everyone who enters Intensive Care leaves...one way or another |
Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 16:48
I was speaking to my Godson, who 'was' a theatre technician (surgical, not plays) and he was redeployed to ICU. He said that in the first 3 weeks only 1 person left to go back to a ward. Many others left. I am pleased to say that the whole country has come a long way since then and they are learning more and more about how to treat this horrible illness. The survival rate in ICU is a lot higher now and hopefully soon this will just be a bad memory.....a long way to go first...fingers crossed. |
Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 19:56
Can you point out any source of information of this major unrest in Italy and France please?
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Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 23:11
| Edit- deleted as merged with other post |
Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 01 May 2020 at 23:23
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I can’t find the article I was reading but here is one about the unrest in France- https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/04/26/europe/coronavirus-france-inequality-intl/index.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/04/26/europe/coronavirus-france-inequality-intl/index.html And another about France https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN2230IK" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN2230IK And another... https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.euronews.com/amp/2020/04/23/unrest-hunger-and-hardship-in-france-s-locked-down-suburbs" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.euronews.com/amp/2020/04/23/unrest-hunger-and-hardship-in-france-s-locked-down-suburbs And Italy https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/1262824/Coronavirus-horror-violence-Italy-COVID-19-unrest-chaos-shortages-news/amp" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/1262824/Coronavirus-horror-violence-Italy-COVID-19-unrest-chaos-shortages-news/amp https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/singing-stops-italy-fear-social-unrest-mount-coronavirus-lockdown" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/singing-stops-italy-fear-social-unrest-mount-coronavirus-lockdown https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/italy-mafias-coronavirus-pandemic-support-1498726%3famp=1" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/italy-mafias-coronavirus-pandemic-support-1498726%3famp=1 And in other parts of the world, one here about Belgium https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/dozens-arrested-in-brussels-riots-during-lockdown/amp/" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/dozens-arrested-in-brussels-riots-during-lockdown/amp/ For there supposedly to be no unrest they are just a small selection of stories I found. I tried not to use tabloid newspapers or any untrustworthy sites but I think that’s all pretty definitive. There’s also rioting in Central America, South Africa and various other places. Quite sobering reading. |
Posted By: French Connection
Date Posted: 02 May 2020 at 16:05
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Those articles are just staggeringly inaccurate and just total scaremongering of the sort that others have mentioned here. Of course the virus has hit the poorest in France just like in the UK and everywhere else. The increasing inequality in all societies has made it that way all over the world. In any crisis it's always the poor that pay the heaviest price and it's been ever so. The only way to change that is to reduce inequality but unfortunately in the west it's been increasing pretty rapidly since the 80s. Regarding the 'riots' in the suburbs of Paris etc, unfortunately that happens pretty much all the time and has not really changed with the current situation. It's also a tiny number of people involved. There are real problems there though and the French made a right mess of things in the 60s by creating huge ghettos of immigrants where unemployment and poverty is rampant. The issue the article talks about was on the news and is a story we've seen loads of times - a young kid on a motorcycle was being chased by the police, fell off trying to evade them, and then all his mates watching use that as an excuse to burn a load of cars and set off fireworks. In the summer it's a weekly event. The kid involved was interviewed on TV from hospital admitting he was in the wrong and pleading with the 'rioters' to stop. It has absolutely nothing to do with the virus though.
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Posted By: Exiled_Scots
Date Posted: 03 May 2020 at 09:33
Totally agree with you FC with individual posters now expressing views on the BBC & EU. Anyone would think it was a political website rather than a rugby forum. ------------- Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!! Seven down one to go |
Posted By: Moderator
Date Posted: 03 May 2020 at 10:10
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Exiled Scot is right this is a RUGBY forum. Political views can be expressed else where on the Net. Thank you. ------------- Moderator |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 04 May 2020 at 20:00
BOMBSHELL from Dan Schofield, just published in the Torygraph, as below; no word yet from HQ on this or indication about how it would impact level 2. But at first glance not very uplifting... Rugby Union is facing a devastating financial blow after medical guidelines released by the sport's governing body stated matches should be played behind closed doors until a vaccine exists for Covid-19. With the Rugby Football Union already projecting to lose £50million because of the pandemic, the prospect of the long-term absence of large-scale crowds from major venues would plunge the sport in England - and across the world - into crisis. It is expected that it could be up to 18 months before a vaccine is freely available. And the difficulty of even returning behind closed doors was also laid bare in the report, which stated that upon returning for training players will initially need to observe social distancing of 1.5 metres, wear gloves and face masks, and refrain from making any physical contact such as hugging or handshakes. All players will also be asked to fill in a daily questionnaire for symptoms of Covid-19 and will be required to have their temperature checked before entering the clubhouse or training facility. Anyone with a temperature higher than 37.5 centigrade will be sent home. Premiership Rugby’s ambition of staging the remainder of the 2019/20 season this summer also appeared to recede after World Rugby advised that competitive rugby should not resume until national governments allow public gatherings of up to 250 people. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that phase two of the Government’s coronavirus strategy will be announced next week, which is likely to be limited to small social gatherings. Compiled by medical experts Éanna Falvey, Prav Mathema, Mary Horgan, Martin Raftery, the World Rugby guidelines are being issued to all unions who are expected to create a framework for a return to play in conjunction with their own government’s advice on Public Gathering Restrictions, Social Distancing, Travel Restrictions (PST). This will then be passed to all clubs, amateur and professional. Players will initially need to observe social distancing of 1.5 metres during training, wear gloves and face masks, and refrain from making any physical contact such as hugging or handshakes. All players will also be asked to fill in a daily questionnaire for symptoms of Covid-19 and will be required to have their temperature checked before entering the clubhouse or training facility. Anyone with a temperature higher than 37.5 centigrade will be sent home. The long and winding return of how rugby operated pre-pandemic is staggered into stages that could last several weeks. Under World Rugby’s projection, “normal competition” would not resume until after a vaccine has been introduced. The first stage would be a return to rugby training, which is likely to coincide with the government reopening schools and non-essential businesses. Even then training would be staggered between groups of five or ten players, depending on government advice, who should be assigned their own specific coach to avoid overlap between groups. The guidelines state: “Where possible, all players and staff should wear face masks to prevent possible spread from asymptomatic, infected players.” Players are also advised to travel alone to and from training and should shower and eat at home. Clubs will also be required to conduct a deep clean after each session. “Facilities would remain unavailable until cleaning can be completed.” The next stage would be for full squad training once the government allow gatherings of up to 50 people. However, full-contact training should be planned in consultation with local public health authorities and will need PST to allow “close contact” or a specific Government exemption. Unions and clubs will need to demonstrate an ability to “comprehensively screen, test and contact trace”to reach that stage. World Rugby are conscious that coaches may be tempted to ignore or bypass their advice warning: “Your actions will speak far louder than words, and will affect the health of yourself, your family, colleagues and friends. For coaches, the temptation to progress beyond the measures permitted will be an issue.” World Rugby recommends that competitive matches should only resume once there is an agreement between union, clubs, competition organisers, coaches and players. Unions are advised to appoint a Covid-19 Manager to present the return to training and matches with the government and manage the communication across the clubs and competitions. The manager will also be asked to conduct a risk assessment for when matches can resume. Those first matches are “likely to be over short distances” and will not include overnight stays. Players are advised to travel individually by car. Once competitive rugby successfully resumes within a country then international rugby could take place providing the countries share “relaxed border control measures”. The prospect of England hosting southern-hemisphere countries in the autumn appears remote with trans-continental matches appearing as the penultimate stage of rugby’s return to normal competition. |
Posted By: Dalesman
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 11:23
| Looks likely there will be no rugby until the New Year. |
Posted By: One For The Ditch
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 11:58
Unfortunately until there is a vaccine I do not see the game being restored to any where near what it was. Stating the obvious, I know, without any source of income and continued costs, the collateral damage will be significant; the very few "professional" clubs that make a profit have a chance of survival but those that rely upon benefactors are clearly at risk. Sponsors will have been impacted in the same way (added to which no games equals no brand recognition), doubtless some will be considering exercising force majeure. The game, at a number of levels, was on a commercial knife edge before Covid came along; there was no disaster plan in place. It is very worrying times, I just hope that the structure can survive until there is a vaccine. Only my view, but I suggest that there will be a major reset of the game..... Stay safe all
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Posted By: JonDee
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 13:00
Interesting to see that the Premier League club doctors have raised concerns regarding the resumption of Premier Football https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52536329 This would transfer to most levels of most sports including rugby. |
Posted By: JonDee
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 13:05
Just when you get hit with one potential negative along comes another 1 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52546683 If the loss does hit £107 million cannot see any support for the Championship and there must be a cut in support for the Community game and hopefully the Premiership although am not holding my breath on the last one |
Posted By: Mickyboy
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 16:41
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Sides that make a profit. Premier figures have been inflated by the CVC money of around £7.2m. From what I have seen having searched Companies House the only side in the premier to have made a profit to year end a June 19 before CVC money is taken into consideration is surprise surprise Exeter. I was unable access all premier teams but the others I did all have made a profit but not on stand along figures. Have not looked to far at the Championship only at Bedford Blues who have made a profit for the 4th year running. Playing behind closed doors get the games played but what money do the clubs make? No additional gate money season ticket money to be refunded and no additional income from hospitality bars and food. It would seem that it will only add to the costs as players would need playing and removing from Furlough. The Championship is in the same position re costs but most sides have not staff to pay I wonder what moth to month costs are. I think they are better off not playing until all measures are lifted.
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Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 19:06
| Rugby with no fans or money is just a game played by 30 people. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 20:35
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For the premiership where it is on TV it sort of makes sense - as at least we can watch. Frankly if I have to I will pay for the live stream of Cambridge's matches, but I will miss meeting everyone. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Dobber
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 20:36
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Posted By: Westcoaster
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 20:59
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Islander , are you sure about this article? Little reference to it anywhere else that I can see ------------- Come on Jersey........ |
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 21:41
Fair criticism, it wasn't meant to come across as negative. The whole premise of what professional sport is actually all about is now coming into question. It's entertainment, it's a job, it's a foundation of the community but take away the fans and money and what is actually left? It sounds like there is a chance the Championship and below may not even have a 2020/21 season. (Sorry went all negative again!)
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 07:33
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Is there now not a case for the Championship to be looking at getting ITV to televise a number of matches each week (ITV 3/4) As I reckon the appetite for any televised sport will be great. This may help to offset the funding somewhat. ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 08:21
| It's been announced the tv companies have seen a 42 % drop in advertising revenues, there might not be an IYV 3/4 soon...…………... |
Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 09:34
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The crunch time for many clubs will come when the Government withdraws furloughing it cannot financially keep it up for more than three months. If clubs cannot have large gatherings and cannot open their bars there will be zero income and in all probability physical contact will not commence until Xmas at least. Those clubs will have to cancel all contracts and moth ball their clubs until a vaccine is found . Many clubs will go under only those who are strictly amateur will survive on volunteer labour. Hoping the players will be there when they restart,. This will be the key to the future many players in their last two years of rugby could retire prematurely and others will simply go to play for their local clubs until everything is resolved. Every club with few exceptions relies on Sponsors who fund the club out of the own income created from successful businesses and they will be severely affected in the short term I think that the game will be altered and may be never to return the structure we had in the past. |
Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 12:00
| I was watching an interview with the Chancellor who has said they may well continue the furlough scheme for those last to open so it might well be that clubs can take advantage of that. |
Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 14:38
| If schools reopen successfully that may enable Mini and Junior rugby to restart which will provide membership income and the ability to do some bar sales for many Clubs. If the Government decides that the hospitality industry must remain closed until after Christmas it will have to provide some support or see swathes of the country close with mass unemployment. Any sensible Government will provide some sort of assistance to enable that industry to continue. How will be able to celebrate successfully leaving the EU on 31st December if the pubs are shut?! |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 15:02
If pubs remain shut then surely sports club bars will also be shut? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: billesleyexile
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 15:14
I wouldn't like to assume that reopened schools are going to be doing PE. Can't find the source now (might have been Bill Sweeney's cross-examination the other day) but I think we could be looking at rugby being last out of lockdown - of the team sports - sometime mid 2021. Next season could be 2021-22... What's really interesting is that some of the more thoughtful people in the Association code are starting to mutter similar things. ------------- keep the faith |
Posted By: Bigmal
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 15:24
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Not sure how much appetite there will be to play at lower league level without an effective vaccine. Employers won't be desperate to hear that people are off work because they caught C19 whilst playing rugby! As far the prolonged support of professional sport by the Govt is concerned I'm not sure that is what your average taxpayer wants to hear. You already have other sports making the point that they need support but unfortunately this is NOT a matter of life or death and by definition sports/teams that can't pay their way will have to sink or swim. Large numbers of people are employed directly or indirectly by professional sports/teams but these are NOT essential occupations. I'm a big sports fan but would not like to see significant sums diverted from front line services to any sport. The Olympics is coming up -does it matter if Team GB win NO medals and send a reduced team if the money saved is used for the good of all? This is a clear wake up call for bigtime professional sport and the days of mega salaries particularly in football may well be over. Rugby survived the big freeze of 1963 but lots of clubs suffered financially at that time before emerging stronger. |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 16:18
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There is no reason to celebrate leaving the EU, particularly if the government continue to insist that an extension to the transition period is unnecessary, despite the biggest economic downturn since 1929. NB. This is a response to Halliford’s post rather than a political comment.
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 16:53
I can't vouch for what was reported personally; the Torygraph article is here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/05/04/rugby-played-behind-closed-doors-covid-19-vaccine-available/" rel="nofollow - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/05/04/rugby-played-behind-closed-doors-covid-19-vaccine-available/ and there was something similar in the Grauniad here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/may/04/world-rugby-guidelines-advise-behind-closed-doors-tests-until-vaccine-found" rel="nofollow - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/may/04/world-rugby-guidelines-advise-behind-closed-doors-tests-until-vaccine-found The initial media coverage has drawn criticism from RFU & World Rugby, the latter publishing correction/clarification here: [extract] For the avoidance of doubt, this does not mean that matches will have to be played behind closed doors until a vaccine is available – the strategy will be determined by the respective national government directives. https://www.world.rugby/news/568915" rel="nofollow - https://www.world.rugby/news/568915
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 17:08
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I'm not sure why there is talk of a number of international matches in the Autumn - travel problems aside they will be behind closed doors so for an international friendly, why bother? Ending the 6 Nations should take priority over anything. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 17:16
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I hesitate to post another Torygraph exclusive, as the last one was duff; before anyone gets too outraged, I'd be surprised if this was considered at Championship level, but is definitely a talking point (pasting because it's behind paywall) Plans are being drawn up for rugby union to be played without scrummaging, tackling and mauling next season to increase the likelihood of some form of the game returning if the Covid-19 lockdown is eased. An internal working group at the Rugby Football Union is understood to be working on a number of variations of what is being described as ‘rugby activity’ – focusing on reducing the levels of contact in the sport to encourage players to return to their clubs next season even if full contact is not permissible because of continuing social distancing measures. A range of phased activities are being considered, starting from social-distanced training to forms of competitive touch rugby and a shortened version of the game similar to RugbyX, played on half a pitch with limited contact. Given the intensity of the contact involved in scrummaging, tackling and mauling, there is a growing acceptance that these will be the last aspects of the sport that are allowed to return in the community game and may not be possible until next year. “By rugby activity we are definitely not talking about 15-a-side, full-on contact rugby,” said Steve Grainger, the RFU’s director of rugby development. “There are a whole range of activities that you could create without having 16 people in a scrum. “That is probably the most invasive and intensive form of contact that we are going to have. Or a pile of people in a ruck. “Those are the things I think that are quite hard to see your way past with the sort of virus that we have had. They seem like they will be the last things to come back. “We are looking at staging posts all the way along that – from a situation where a group of people can start to handle a ball together through to a situation where a group of people can start to challenge another group of people with a ball in their hands. “I think we will get to a situation with a non-contact or limited contact variant of the game such as RugbyX. The return of contact activity will then engineer when the competitive programme can start.” There are also concerns within the governing body that even if Government directives allow rugby to return to full contact next season, players may be put off returning because of the public health concerns. A nationwide consultation process across England is also expected to be rolled out over the summer to gauge the level of interest from grass-roots players to return to full contact rugby. "Even when [full contact] is permitted, it will be assessing people’s appetite to actually engage in it,” Grainger added. “If we are going to try to get 30 people back onto a community rugby pitch in a local community somewhere and 16 of them plus two scrum-halves know that they have got to get pretty close to each other on a fairly regular basis, you only need 25 per cent of them to say ‘no thanks’ and all of a sudden you have not got a game.” “Once lockdown starts to get lifted the other piece of work we will start to gradually do is talk to and hear from players about what they feel is their degree of appetite and tolerance to get back involved. “We are reckoning that we are going to need between four to six weeks from contact training to be able to get going to competitive rugby happening. There will probably be some differential between National One and Level 12 because the demands on the players will be very different.” The return of mini and junior rugby, the areas that are generally thriving in most grass-roots clubs, is also uncertain because of parental concerns. “Whatever happens, 2020-21 is going to be a transition season,” Grainger added. “If we have a group of nine-year-olds who play no rugby because parents don’t want them in that environment, we have got to keep them engaged, interested and motivated in the game and if we do that we have to have every confidence they will come back in the following season.” Another RFU working group is also examining competition structures from National One and below if the season is not able to start as scheduled, including the worst case scenario of abandonment. “We have a couple of groups established who were already looking at the options and scenarios for competition programmes, one in the age-grade game and one in the adult game because again clearly if we can commence in September, the programme at least can commence,” Grainger added. “But if we get into October, or worse still into January, the pressure on the season, the position of cup and representative rugby will have to be carefully considered. “That group is going to have to consider everything from a fully operational normal league programme right through to total abandonment of the league programme and just let clubs play when they can.” |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 17:20
The answer to your 'why bother?' Q is money R999. Sweeney said yesterday that the RFU would lose £35m this calendar year if the November games went ahead as scheduled. That loss would go up to an estimated £85.7m if they were played behind closed doors, and £107.3m if they were just cancelled... |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 17:52
| Rugby League then? |
Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 19:08
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In my opinion, it is a certainty that a player, coach, backroom staff, physiotherapist etc will test positive after a game has been played. So that is 100 + people needing isolation. Then what happens? Better still it will be football that shows how not to do it. MONEY MONEY MONEY. Want to do something, stop thinking 600+ deaths a day is acceptable and normal. Sorry I feel this is the wrong move.
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |
Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 19:17
Why would mini junior rugby be acceptable to start?
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Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 19:22
Greed and capitalism. Well said
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 19:56
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No scrums, no rucks, no tackling (and doubtless line outs aswell although not mentioned earlier) What IS the point? Same as the suggestion of shortening games - won't protect anyone!
Shut up shop, stay safe, reasonably fit and come back firing on all cylinders whenever that may be to play the game as it should be played
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Posted By: kingsheathlad
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 20:35
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[QUOTE=Thatbloke]No scrums, no rucks, no tackling (and doubtless line outs aswell although not mentioned earlier) What IS the point? Same as the suggestion of shortening games - won't protect anyone!
Shut up shop, stay safe, reasonably fit and come back firing on all cylinders whenever that may be to play the game as it should be played [/QUOTEAgree. You might as well play touch rugby. ]
------------- Cauliflower ear. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 20:50
| But without the "touch" bit!!! 😂😂😂 |
Posted By: DICKON
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 21:19
| So basically, Super Rugby?!!! |
Posted By: Westcoaster
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 21:28
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I'm with you Thatbloke. Play proper full contact rugby when we can or no rugby. yes its frustrating for all concerned but national health is more important and the integrity of rugby as we know it. As a local season ticket holder, I wouldn't go and watch my team playing any sort of non contact or touch rugby - waste of time ------------- Come on Jersey........ |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 21:57
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I think all of these discussion really also hinge on the efficacy and roll out of vaccines. Recent articles suggest a vaccine could be proven effective by June. Beyond that, if successful, there could be a ramp up to a million doses of vaccine by September, and then exponential growth of vaccine creation capability from there. So, if lucky, we could genuinely be coming out of this by the end of the year. (note - I did qualify as a microbiologist out of Uni, though haven't been in that field for 15 years). One article on timescales here: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/oxford-scientist-says-its-vaccine-making-headway-could-show-efficacy-n1198946" rel="nofollow - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/oxford-scientist-says-its-vaccine-making-headway-could-show-efficacy-n1198946 |
Posted By: Keeppushininthescrum
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 23:40
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The professional sports bodies will need social contact to survive.
Dont be too hasty writing off next season i think it will be game on. In the mean time step into your garden at around seven and listen to what birds are saying. The tide goes out and then it comes back in. Make the most of it.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 10:25
Have you ever watched Rugby League? Tackling is a lot harder than most Union. The suggested RFU proposals in the Telegraph article are a total farce - just confirms that they know nothing about rugby. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 10:26
Totally agree ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 10:55
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PLUS
Can't see anyone wanting to play RugbyZ or whatever other fancy title they come up with OR watch it AND certainly NOT pay for the privilege
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 11:48
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i hope not, but the choice may come down to touch (formerly known as touch rugby), or some other lower-contact version of rugby, or NOTHING. some people might prefer to do something rather than nothing in order to alleviate boredom, keep up fitness, maintain some core skills (eg handling/positional awareness/running lines) and for the social benefits (beer and banter after the game). i very much doubt that this would be a spectator sport - even if clubs had the nerve to market tickets, few would buy them!
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 13:14
Presumably No beer after game until Pubs re-open? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 13:48
almost certainly not... i guess this possibility is based on the assumption that drinking in pubs (& sports club bars) - or outside them - with some element of distancing, may be permitted sooner than people being allowed to grapple with each other in a full contact game of rugby. please don't think i'm trying to dress this up as good news; it's rather depressing, but on reflection about whether it was better than nothing, many people might say that it was
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Posted By: Westcoaster
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 14:31
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It isn't that the "news" itself is depressing Islander, its more the fact that it gets into the papers in the first place, and is then quoted as if it were fact. So much of what is out there at the moment is speculation and possibility. The reality is that we have little prospect of a proper resumption of rugby for many weeks. I've stopped watching the nightly news as so much of it is just blather with "our correspondent'. This isn't news - its a journalist's views, aired on a news platform. ------------- Come on Jersey........ |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 15:55
Indeed Westcoaster. As it has been said opinions are like ar$eholes in that everyone has got one. Another similarity with coronavirus is that so many people seem to be talking out of them.
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Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 16:00
We're not THAT desperate!!!
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 10 May 2020 at 15:40
When I first saw the article, I immediately checked the date to see if it was April 1st. It has resurfaced in the papers again this weekend, so I am now assuming the idiots are RFU are actually serious! WTF - New Zealand and Australia are talking about a resumption of Super Rugby within a month, albeit without international travel, Ireland has set out a road map with expectation of Pro-14 Rugby restarting in August. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Runitback
Date Posted: 10 May 2020 at 20:07
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I see no reason why Tri Nations could not start again, 300 deaths in AUS,NZ and SA, so with thorough screening of teams games could safely be played behind closed doors. As for UK . .. August maybe for Prem, Champ January and hopefully all other leagues too. But normality will not resume until a cure/vaccine is found. ------------- Run with it |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 11 May 2020 at 11:15
Apart from Travel Restrictions the competition has 4 nations - you seem to have ignored/forgotten Argentina ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 11 May 2020 at 16:38
There are some very entrenched 'over my dead body' views on this. I fully appreciate it isn't an appetising prospect, but the reason it resurfaced in the papers is that some people have cottoned on to the seriousness of the situation, such as Ian McGeechan in yesterday's Telegraph - see below. To be clear, this seems to be a suggestion for the grass-roots of the game where the alternative is NOTHING, with the gates and clubhouse doors of community clubs just staying locked for an extended period - 9 to 10 months is being talked about, stretching to 1 Jan, and there are some forecasts that are even more pessimistic than that... Reports that the RFU is looking into making the amateur game ‘contact-free’ next season were bound to produce a reaction. Rugby without scrummaging, tackling and mauling? You cannot be serious, as John McEnroe might have said. The truth is, though, this is serious. Very serious. Faced with the prospect of ‘contact-free rugby’ (or more accurately a 'no-contact game’) or no games at all, I would go for the ‘hybrid’ option every time. If there is no rugby at all, if there is nothing to watch, no socialising, no incentive for players to train, a club’s whole raison d’être is taken away. We could see countless grassroots clubs lost post-lockdown. Who knows how long it will be until social distancing is lifted? We have to remember, 99 per cent of all rugby is amateur, run by volunteers and financially supported by members and local business. So could there be a 'hybrid' solution to allow clubs to have a meaningful opportunity to open? I think so. It is far from ideal, and yes, it is not rugby as such. But it could be a key life-line for clubs whilst we transition from lockdown over the next season and beyond. Coaches are always devising different skills activities, and you can have a lot of fun playing these sorts of games. Whilst at Northampton and Wasps we played a rugby-soccer hybrid (akin to Gaelic football) which I called Fugby. It was great for core skills - for kicking, passing and handling/catching - and ferociously competitive. Saturday mornings, after the first team's 'Captain's Run' at Wasps, the remainder of the squad would play it. The players would always ask for it. No, it wasn't rugby, but the players left training with a smile on their faces. Why not have such games to transition back into playing and encourage some hybrid competitions regionally with minimum expense? |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 11 May 2020 at 18:54
| Is the suggestion that this should actually be played competitvely? Get real - impossible! If that's the best on offer for the next 3,6,9 months or whatever then I for one would rather go for a walk with a stone in my shoe - anyone want to join me? |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 11 May 2020 at 20:11
I would see it more as something than enables players to play and socialise, and clubs to open... and there'd be great news for those who didn't fancy it, as there no suggestion anyone would be forced to take part. Enjoy your (long) walk!
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Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 12 May 2020 at 11:24
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Players will probably need to be paid. Furloghing will not continue indefinitely, so clubs will need to have some form of income, otherwise they will not be able to pay their staff...stands to reason. The RFU will not be paying anything if there is no league season of note and sponsors will not be willing to sponsor clubs if they are not getting the exposure that the sponsorship fees warrant. What about the social aspect, will the clubs be open to the members? will they be able to watch the 'non contact' game? I don't expect any answers to these questions, but they way it has been voiced by McG then it is nothing more than a training session and it comes back to my first point, how will the players be paid? |
Posted By: JonDee
Date Posted: 12 May 2020 at 18:05
From the deep pockets of some of those benefactors who have supported their clubs for many years. The problem will be who do they play because if the RFU pull funding totally which is highly likely and sponsors pull out I can see at least a quarter of the Championship clubs deciding to pull out and am not sure many Nat 1 clubs would volunteer to move up |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 12 May 2020 at 20:15
More of a grass-roots concept I think Brizzer... (which probably means it's being discussed in the wrong thread, I admit). I guess club members could come and watch sessions/matches and enjoy a beer* *talk about pubs possibly opening in July in UK, while a few in Jersey reopened today for outdoor dining only
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Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 12 May 2020 at 21:53
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As a pub and restaurant operator I would be very surprised if the go ahead is given to reopen as early as July. Even when reopening is permitted, we could be faced with customers staying six feet apart, not sitting/standing near the bar and having to collect their beer from a socially distanced table rather than be handed it over the bar. None of this is conducive to the clubhouse environment unfortunately . In other news, the RFU is talking about packing in a 2020 Six Nations match, four Twickenham internationals and a tour to Japan in two months.🤯
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 10:17
Without a lot of their players who are unlikely to be released by their clubs outside of the normal 4 week international period. Clouds silver lining for RFU - as Saracens are relegated most of their players will be available as the release agreement is with Premiership. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 00:29
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Premiership: Two more weeks needed before safe to return to training https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52759907%20" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52759907
This is getting silly! They will try to resume when the next season is pretty much starting.
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Posted By: Cannon
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 11:19
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Interesting interview with Lord Jeffrey Archer on TalkSport, summarised at the end by saying both cricket and rugby will really have to reevaluate their sports as neither are cash rich compared to football below the top level. ------------- Rucks and mauls may bust my balls, but whips and chains excite me!! |
Posted By: Pirate Pig
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 11:34
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This is all about the greed of the premiership clubs and nothing to do with player welfare or what is best for the wider game. If the premiership starts in August it could go on until October, November is being lined up as the international window so the new premiership season for 2020-21 will get under way in December and run until June. If the championship resumes in September will we have the scenario that Saracens will be asked to play in both leagues? There is also the need to complete this seasons European Champions Cup and Saracens are one of the Quarter finalists. I can't see Saracens agreeing to that sort of workload and in all honesty it shouldn't be allowed to happen. The RFU for once need to show some leadership and finish this season now.
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Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 22 May 2020 at 11:43
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Totally agree. Daily Express today Leinster v Saracens September12 th in Dublin (provisionaly) What could possibly go wrong 🥴
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |