Cup 2nd Round Predictions, Fixtures etc
Printed From: National League Rugby Discussion Forum
Category: League Rugby - www.leaguerugby.co.uk
Forum Name: The Championship
Forum Description: Discuss the 12 clubs forming the English Championship.
URL: http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=19911
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2024 at 06:26
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Cup 2nd Round Predictions, Fixtures etc
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Subject: Cup 2nd Round Predictions, Fixtures etc
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2023 at 09:03
|
Probably in wrong place but: FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS Pool A Archers 4-1 Pury (Fri 15 Sept, 19:45)
Close home win Quins 2-5 Cov (Sat 16 Sept, 15:00) Should
be a brilliant game Sarries 5-2 Glaws (Sat 16 Sept, 14:00)
Could go either way Pool B Falcons 5-1 Blues (Fri 15 Sept, 19:45) Blues to get 4
try bonus Sharks 5-2 Tiggers (Fri 15 Sep, 19:45)
Another brilliant contest Caldy 5-2 Amps (Sat 16 Sept, 15:00) Could
go either way Pool C Bath 2-5 Jersey (Sat 16 Sept, 13:00, TNT SPORTS)
Stop laughing it might happen! Chiefs 1-4 Pirates (Sat 16 Sep, 15:00) Or a shed load of
Cornishmen would know the reason why. Pool C/D London Scottish 0-5 Donny (Sat 16 Sept,
15:00) Banker Donny going for it this year Pool D Bears 5-2 Ealing (Sun 17 Sept, 14:30)
Could be really close Saints 4-1 Blood & Sand (Sat 16 Sep, 15:00) Could go either way ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Replies:
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2023 at 13:06
|
Ooh come on You missed one Saint's 5 - 1 Blood and Sand ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2023 at 14:47
|
Bears v Ealing will depend a lot on Bristol's team. A full strength or near enough team from Bristol & it should be a top game, another kiddies team like this week and Ealing will romp to another win. I personally doubt Cov will win away at Quins who will likely go a bit stronger this week than last. Jersey definitely could do Bath, but the Rec is a massive fortress & will be a factor in a tight game. Will Exeter let Pirates play their DRs against them? Serious question btw!
|
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2023 at 16:35
None of the Chiefs’ D/R/s played for the Pirates on Friday. I suspect we won’t see them until the League starts.
|
SK 88 wrote:Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2023 at 16:43
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 08:21
|
My Guesses: Pool A Nottingham 4-1 Hartpury Harlequins 4-1 Coventry Saracens 4-1 Gloucester Pool B Newcastle 5-2 Bedford Sale 5-2 Leicester Caldy 5-2 Ampthill Pool C Bath 4- Jersey Exeter 5-0 Pirates Pool C/D London Scottish 0-5 Doncaster Pool D Bristol 1-5 Ealing Northampton 5-0 Cambridge ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 20:55
|
My predictions are 2 more prem scalps for Ealing (comfortably) and Cov (narrowly) and a Jersey win over Bath (by 7-14). All other prem vs champ will be comfortable wins for the prem team, either 5-0 or 5-1 with a losing try bonus.
More broadly, think those 3 are going to be a class above anyone else again this season. Cov will narrow the gap, but if Ealing don’t win the league comfortably I don’t understand how Ben Ward keeps his job. ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: All the Way
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 20:59
|
Nottingham 4-1 Hartpury Harlequins 4-1 Coventry Saracens 4-1 Gloucester Newcastle 5-1 Bedford Sale 5-2 Leicester Caldy 5-2 Ampthill Bath 4-1Jersey Exeter 5-0 Pirates London Scottish 0-5 Doncaster Bristol 2-5 Ealing Northampton 5-0 Cambridge |
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2023 at 18:33
15 Kyle Moyle 14 Will Trewin 13 Matt McNab (23 Ioan Evans, 51) 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton, 10 Tom Pittman (22 Iwan Jenkins, 51) 9 Ruaridh Dawson (21 Alex Schwarz, 62); 1 Leftheri Zigiriadis (18 Jack Andrew, 51) 2 Morgan Nelson (16 Rhys Williams, 62) 3 Marlen Walker (17 Fin Richardson, 53) 4 Josh King (19 Steele Barker, 62) 5 Will Britton 6 John Stevens (captain; 20 Harry Dugmore, 54) 7 Will Gibson 8 Ben Grubb. I believe these in bold are all Exeter players on D/R? Though looking at it like that I doubt Exeter will withdraw them or they'd make loads of difference.
|
Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2023 at 11:25
|
Nottingham 5-1 Hartpury ... Tight game this, but home advantage to prevail Harlequins 2-4 Coventry ... Cov will be my surprise package for the season, both in the cup and the league. Very entertaining game, lots of points, Championship to mark their mark. Saracens 4-1 Gloucester ... Sarries to win a tight game. Newcastle 5-1 Bedford ... Bedford will give this a real go, but will ship too many points, despite scoring a few themselves. Sale 5-0 Leicester ... Sale will have more available to them than Tigers will. Caldy 5-2 Ampthill ... This could really go either way, but a great day of rugby in stall for those attending. No losers in this one!! Bath 1-4 Jersey ... Jersey will take this very seriously and could upset a poor Bath side. It will be close and could easily go either way. Exeter 5-0 Pirates ... Full house of travelling Cornishmen for this game, but i think that Exeter will prove to be a little too strong....I would love to be there though. London Scottish 0-5 Doncaster ... LS should get some points on the board, but it won't be enough. Donny by 3 or 4 scores Bristol 0-5 Ealing ... Will Bristol now begin to take this competition seriously? If they don't then ET will have an absolute field day. Northampton 5-0 Cambridge ... Saints will be too strong for the newbies I am afraid. ------------- Tackle Low!!!!! |
Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2023 at 12:16
|
Northampton's coach has said their usual pre season is 2 or 3 matches. I take from that they will start to put out stronger sides from end of September onwards. Happy hunting to Cambridge!
|
Posted By: *Stalwart
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 09:31
|
Nottingham 4-1 Hartpury Harlequins 4-1 Coventry Saracens 4-1 Gloucester Newcastle 4-1 Bedford Sale 4-1 Leicester Caldy 4-1 Ampthill Bath 1-4Jersey Exeter 5-0 Pirates London Scottish 0-5 Doncaster Bristol 1-4 Ealing Northampton 5-0 Cambridge ------------- *Stalwart |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 12:15
|
Jersey Reds squad v Bath Rugby (A) 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup, pool C round 2, The Recreation Ground, Saturday September 16th, k-o 1pm (* competitive debut) Backs (15-9) Replacements (16-23) Some seriously big lads there! ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 12:15
|
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 12:17
|
Same Ealing side as last week with the exception of a couple of injury swaps, in particular Cornish coming into the starting line up. Pretty strong side, but would have liked to have seen a few of the newer signings such as Williams, Twelvetrees or Williams. Maybe they are injured, or maybe they are being held out of what is meant to be a developmental competition.
Bristol side also looks much stronger than the sacrificial lambs they put out against Exeter last weekend. Should be a good contest. I still think Ealing will edge it.
|
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 12:19
|
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 12:27
|
Nottingham 4-1 Hartpury - Homefield advantage Harlequins 1-4 Coventry - Why not? Saracens 4-1 Gloucester - Ealing signed all of Gloucesters good players. Newcastle 4-1 Bedford - Codling back in the Champ ;) Sale 1-4 Leicester - Leicester seem to be taking this semi-seriously. Caldy 4-1 Ampthill - as an Ealing fan, I believe Caldy can beat anyone at home. Bath 1-4Jersey - Bath looks to be putting out a youngish team again Exeter 5-1 Pirates - I wonder if this will be a sell out. Sure to be a great atmosphere. London Scottish 0-5 Doncaster - I can't believe in Scottish, even if they did escape the drop. Bristol 1-4 Ealing - Suspect this will be a belter, with Ealing just to pip it off the back of their experienced halfback combination. Northampton 5-0 Cambridge - one way traffic as I think Northampton will try a bit harder at home. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 14:02
|
Northampton Saints Cambridge Rugby George Hendy 15 Joe Tarrant Will Glister 14 Joe Green Tommy Freeman 13 Matt Hema Toby Thame 12 Sam Hanks Tom Seabrook 11 Eli Caven James Grayson (c) 10 Steff James Archie McParland 9 Toby Dabell Ethan Waller 1 Jake Elwood Curtis Langdon 2 Ben Brownlie Elliot Millar Mills 3 Matty Collins Emeka Atuanya 4 George Bretag Norris (c) Tom Lockett 5 Gareth Baxter Theo Vukasinovic 6 Noah Sloot Henry Pollock 7 Ben Adams Izaiha Moore-Aiono 8 Jared Cardew Replacements: Tom Cruse 16 Morgan Veness Alex Waller 17 Harry Morley Ed Prowse 18 Billy Walker Kayde Sylvester 19 Kieran Frost Reuben Logan 20 Matt Dawson Jake Garside 21 Kieran Duffin Joel Matavesi 22 Tom Hoppe Tom Litchfield 23 Matty Williams Thame and Garside were on loan at Cambridge, so we know those. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 14:20
I don't think any club will win the championship comfortably this season. As well as the three you identify Blues, Donny & Pirates are well capable of beating anyone on their day (particularly at home) and the rest can all cause an upset like Ravers did against Ealing last season. I think the stronger squads will regularly beat each other and no club will get anywhere near 100 points this time around. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 19:19
Bluesman always seems to have a bit of a downer on our squad. It is better than last year. Tonight is going to be tough with the side Falcons have put out! 15 Louis Brown, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Zach Kerr, 12 Matias Orlando (captain), 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Josh Thomas, 9 Josh Barton; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Ollie Fletcher, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Tim Cardall, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 7 Marcus Tiffen, 8 John Kelly. Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Freddie Lockwood, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Ben Douglas, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Ben Redshaw. Bedford Blues: 15 Matt Worley, 14 Seán French, 13 Ethan Grayson, 12 Jordan Venter, 11 Pat Tapley, 10 Louis Grimoldby, 9 James Lennon; 1 Jamie Jack, 2 Jacob Fields, 3 Bryan O’Connor, 4 Robin Williams, 5 Alex Woolford, 6 Luke Frost, 7 Kieran Curran, 8 Joe Howard Replacements: 16 James Fish, 17 Joey Conway, 18 Oisin Heffernan, 19 Geordie Irvine, 20 George Patten, 21 Jac Arthur, 22 Matt Arden, 23 Michael Le Bourgeois. |
Posted By: Runitback
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 19:24
|
Falcons squad looks very beatable ! ------------- Run with it |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 19:58
| Falcons 0 - 3 Blues |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 19:59
| Falcons (1 try) 7 - 3 Blues |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 20:19
| Falcons (2 tries) 12 - 3 Blues |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 20:31
|
HT Falcons (2 tries) 12 - 3 Blues
Wind and rain and sounds like it is a bit of a messy game.
|
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 20:44
PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP
|
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 21:12
|
Falcons (2 tries) 12 - 16 (1 try) Blues ATT 3117
|
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 21:18
| Falcons (3 tries) 19 - 16 (1 try) Blues |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 21:24
| Falcons (BP) 26 - 16 (1 try) Blues |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 21:34
|
FT Falcons 26 - 16 Blues FT Nottingham 17 - 21 HartpurySale 14 - 18 Tigers |
Posted By: Monkey Magic
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2023 at 22:54
|
Early call for Quins back up from Scottish with 5 in the starting line-up after being nilled at home last week. Carr, Browne,Trenholm,Waghorn & Anderson so may get over the white wash this week. |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 14:46
| Jersey going well at Bath |
Posted By: Isithalftimeyet
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 14:49
| FT Bath 10 v 34 Jersey Reds |
Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 14:52
| Congratulations to the Reds, that was some second half by the looks of it, and some statement! |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:02
|
Jersey played really well and look a formidable outfit. Well done the Reds. ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:10
|
Chiefs 0 Pirates 5 |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:14
| Chiefs 7 Pirates 5 - 12mins |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:17
| Chiefs 12 Pirates 5 - 16mins |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:24
| Chiefs 12 Pirates 8 - 23mins |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:27
| Chiefs 12 Pirates 13 - 26mins |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:44
|
Currently 7-7 at the Stoop. Will Chudley a late withdrawal for Cov resulting in a bench call-up for Academy 9 Fin Ogden (no, not Stan(. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:47
|
7-14 now. Hutler/Pellegrini. 32 mins. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:47
| Half Time Chiefs 12 Pirates 13 |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 15:57
|
HT Quins 7-14 Cov ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:05
| Chiefs 19 Pirates 13 |
Posted By: Member728
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:17
| Sweaties 22 Knights 14 game delayed 30 mins traffic |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:20
| Chiefs 26 Pirates 13 - 55mins |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:23
|
Quins 7-21 Cov after 41 mins. 1t-3t ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:32
|
Chiefs 33 Pirates 13 |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:36
|
Quins 14-21 Cov Home side yc for deliberate knock on. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:37
|
Quins down to 13 men. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:44
| Chiefs 38 Pirates 13 |
Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 16:52
| Full Time Chiefs 38 Pirates 13 |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 17:01
|
Now 21-21 with Cov down a prop in the bin. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 17:04
|
And that's FT. Two points apiece. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 17:12
|
LS 22 - 24 Knights FT (2 - 5) A scrappy affair by all accounts ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 17:15
|
Wow! Some scores today. The Championship really has made a statement in these first 2 weeks. Yes, the WC is on, but they have the funding, we don’t. Well done guys, every club should be proud of themselves. A long way to go mind!! ------------- Tackle Low!!!!! |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 18:46
|
Cambridge gave a good account of themselves, but could not break down the Saints defence. I was expecting us to be beaten up up front, but the pack held, it was the backs that did the damage, Cambridge could not cope with their pace. Whenever, they had the ball, they just opened up holes and ran right through them. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 19:16
Great post mate but there is a clear mismatch between the selection policy of Championship & premiership clubs. Premiership clubs seem to use the fixtures to "blood" new talent but this ignores the fact that MOST CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS (Ealing & Cov may be different) have limited squads and can only field their best (or near best) 23. The Bath v Jersey game today was a typical example - Jersey fielded the team they would select against Donny or Cov and in the second half fitness and power & a strong bench showed. I am amazed in their first home game in front of 7K fans Bath didn't put a more experienced side out. The key take-a-way from today and Ealing's game last week is that Premiership academy squads will struggle against the better Championship sides. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2023 at 21:47
|
I wouldn't think Cov's squad is any bigger than Jersey's (and is in fact bolstered by several senior academy lads). Happy to be disabused though. Edit: It appears Cov's squad numbers 30 and Jersey's 36 (according to the respective websites). Two of Cov's are loaners.
------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Big Eddie
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 11:28
Two very good observations. I would go a step further. In my view the Premiership sides their supporters and the media generally believe in the innate superiority of their players and their product. Of course this is only true because the RFU support the Premiership sides with all the funding allowing them to be full time athletes and their conditioning and preparation is a zillion times better because of their status. However, I have seen many players at levels 2, 3 and 4 who had the ability and talent to be top international players but they either didn't get the chance or they had other careers outside the game and they had no intention of giving that up for a full time rugby career. This competition and the brilliant performances by Jersey, Ealing and Coventry is starting to shed more public light on the disgrace of the divisive nature of 'apartheid' English rugby which perpetuates an established and entitled elite. I will be rooting for Ealing today ------------- ''The future isn't what it used to be'' |
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 12:03
|
I’ve been really rooting for all the Championship sides and would love it if 2 or 3 made it through to the knockout stages. The attitude of some of the Premiership sides towards the competition has been contemptuous. Calling it a ‘development competition’ and short changing their own fans in the process is despicable in my view. I have no problem with squad rotation but they have to put out teams that they genuinely believe can win. How they expect their own fans to be engaged in the competition, let alone new fans, whilst simultaneously not taking it seriously says all you need to know about their arrogance and perceived superiority. It highlights to me once more that the Premiership sides should be stripped of the academies. Bring them fully under the RFU, link them with the university teams and have a draft system for when they graduate. That will stop the nonsense situation of having young players on their books with no competitive matches to play.
|
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:25
| Bristol 12 (2T) - Ealing 12 (2T) HT |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:33
| The other thing which is being forgotten is the odds are stacked in the Premiership teams with all the home games. Blues has to travel to both Sale and Newcastle during the day to play 6 days later. That’s a lot of travel where a Premiership club would stay overnight. Newcastle also had Radwan (England) and Orlando (Argentina) internationals and we still were close to them. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:35
Howay Ealing big second half lads will win it. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:44
|
Try for Cornish from Ealing driving maul. If Bristol get no points they would still be bottom of their pool ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: EverOptim8stic
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:52
|
Trailfinder. Just want to clarify something. You said "Calling it a ‘development competition’ and short changing their own fans in the process is despicable in my view.^ In fact, that is the stated intention of the Premiership Cup. " new Premiership Cup was created to re-establish the significance of the domestic cup competition and support development of younger English Premiership players by providing a platform to compete in more matches at Premiership stadia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premiership_Rugby_Cup#cite_note-6" rel="nofollow - [6] I'm a Bris supporter and just hope we can give Ealing a good game today. Would love a Champ team to win the xup and agree with all the arguments about funding etc.
|
Posted By: Brizzer
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 15:53
|
If Ealing manage to hang on and beat Bristol, they will be in box seat to win their group, as will Jersey if they manage to prevail over Exeter (easy if you say it quickly). HOWEVER, surprise surprise Jersey meet Ealing in the ‘extra’ group game which makes it unlikely that both teams will have enough to both qualify. Cov are in a good position as long as they beat Glaws. I am desperate for any Champ side to go through and even make it to the final. Call it what you like, championship sides beating PL sides in their own back yard is embarrassing for the PL. yes, the internationals aren’t there, but with the funding disparity, this league is punching well above their weight…… Come on ET, bring the bacon home against the Bears!! ------------- Tackle Low!!!!! |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:23
PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP
|
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:27
|
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/premiership-rugby-cup/table" rel="nofollow - Premiership Rugby Cup Table - Rugby Union - BBC Sport
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: EverOptim8stic
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:36
|
Well done Ealing! Think some on here would be surprised how supportive most prem club supporters are of Champ rugby - especially those from the clubs who have spent some time here (with the possible exception Sarries). I hope,come the Cup playoffs, any prem teams left in the competition will not be tempted to go fully loaded, but it sounds as though most on here would prefer otherwise. |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:37
|
Well done Ealing 👏 Table top clash next week, guessing you guys are hot favourites for next week. ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:37
Thank you, I stand corrected on this point. I realised the competition was used as such but didn’t realise this was its primary purpose. I think the Premiership clubs are using these as replacement season ticket matches given the reduction in the league games which I think this calls into question now. Delighted with the win today, listening on the radio it seemed the conditions made for a very stop start game but interestingly once again it seems a Championship side has had a noticeably better second half. Better conditioning perhaps or just more team cohesion than a team of players that rarely play together?
|
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:43
|
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:44
I think it's been great so far, there has been a lot of arrogance in the Premiership recently that the Prem Cup is a better standard than the Championship. I think that argument has been knocked into a Huckleberryed hat. As a fan it's better to see new/different teams & better to see our young players against adult men rather than other kids. I would have thought there has been some soul searching at Bath & Northampton about the quality of their young players after these results. Compare to Quins fight back against Cov surely given them loads of confidence when those boys are needed for League & European games.
|
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 16:53
Was with you until this point. Cutting the tie between the top of the game & youth development would be a massive backwards step. Drafts only work in US sport because of the very high salaries mean it is reasonable to force players to move across the country for the jobs. Even then it is only legal because of the collective bargaining agreements make it so. For a £20k starter contract it is simply not going to work or be enforceable. That's before you consider the high value of local players coming through for local teams or what happens to the players who leave school at 16 to take vocational courses, or those with no interest in university. Remember uni graduates who cannot pay their fees up front now have the highest marginal tax rate, with a supplemental 9% income tax likely for their entire working lives. What would be better is expanding the academy system to cover the whole country properly, linking those to Championship & occasionally National 1 sides, and then having a genuine develop competition for all those sides aged 18-23 not dissimilar to France's Espoirs system. To be realistic there would be a mix of contracted players & amateur players who have greater freedom of movement. Personally I'd also go with National League rules on 20 man squads & 10 interchanges to encourage positional versatility.
|
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 17:01
|
I fear I have unintentionally hijacked this thread, my draft idea was just to help with levelling up and take away some of thepower the prem has over the RFU. Anyway, I think all the Champ teams should be very proud of their performances so far. Fingers crossed we get a couple of representatives in the knockout stages.
|
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 17:38
|
Very pleased with that outcome. As a reminder, the Bears squad featured a 28 cap Ireland International at Scrum Half, and a 16 cap Welsh International at Fly Half, so this was very much a mixed side, and not just a 'get the kids in' side. Will be interesting to see if Ealing stick with the same team vs. Donny next weekend.
|
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 17:57
| I suspect with two wins now we will go all out to qualify. Just realised that only the top team in each group goes through to the semi final so having a single representative from the Champ would be an achievement. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2023 at 22:58
|
You have tough games against Doncaster and Jersey. We will try to give you a competitive match, but have no expectation of actually beating you. We are using these games to learn where we need to be, with the aim of attempting to survive in the Championship. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: *Stalwart
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2023 at 09:31
Pirates supporter here - we'll be en route to Cambridge after a few days in Norfolk. Looking forward to our first visit. Should be a cracking game. ------------- *Stalwart |
Posted By: AnIdiotAbroad
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2023 at 12:03
The game kicked off on time, Donny had 30 minutes to warm up.... ------------- Transparency avoids ambiguity |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2023 at 16:47
|
https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/news/article/round-2-round-up-prc2023" rel="nofollow - Round 2 Round-Up (championshiprugby.co.uk)
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |