Presumably Nottingham - Leicester next . . . 

When the league was more semi-pro we were successful having decent young players from the Premiership with money then spent on decent player of our own.

https://bedfordrugby.co.uk/news/2020/06/blues-announce-strategic-partnership-saints" rel="nofollow - https://bedfordrugby.co.uk/news/2020/06/blues-announce-strategic-partnership-saints

But shipping players in and out really does nothing for the Champ Clubs and they will become souless  . ..  a bit like a certain west country team!!!

When Blues first did this they were allocated certain players for the whole season (effectively their players) and then extra ones on loan when there were injuries, just like all clubs do from time to time.

http://lancashirerugby.co.uk/news/1521-listen-to-our-weekly-podcasts" rel="nofollow - http://lancashirerugby.co.uk/news/1521-listen-to-our-weekly-podcasts

Totally understandable from a financial viewpoint but destroys the little integrity the Championship had remaining.

Frankly,more satisfying to watch say a local level 6/7 club.

Come and watch Moseley. 😁

Hope you are not alluding to the Pirates sir.

I assumed it was Hartpury.  I guess you think of them as Northerners, though!

West Midlands?

There isn't much difference to what has happened in the past few years.  Some clubs work closely with Premiership clubs, others work with their own developed squads.  From what we can see so far of next seasons plans, it's much the same. Pirates, Donny, Jersey, Richmond and Ealing and probably others looking to do what they have always done with Hartpury and Bedford following a similar model to what they have previously done. Maybe different alliances, but similar models.  Which is right, which is wrong?  Don't know but what's for certain is that each club has retained its own identity and overall the brand of rugby at this level has been excellent whatever the model.  

Just don't become a Hartpury.

If it means game time for promising players it must be good. The saddest thing is to see players at Premiership clubs kicking their heels.

Other clubs should welcome playing against good players.

I take the point about identity, but that's Bedford's problem.Better than just sinking.

Whereas Bedford has got themselves here, have the fan base to hold themselves here, just struggling a bit in the current climate but will be able to operate well as as a semi-pro outfit at this level. I do not think they should be compared the same - not yet, perhaps in 3 to 5 years if they lose their identity (which I doubt they will).

Little. And none.

Saints players dropping in and out, with no continuity is the worst solution. To Pappashanga's point that loses the Blues identity and it becomes Saints B. We have risked this at Goldington Road, at times, with other arrangements we've had - be in Saracens, Leicester or previous Northampton dalliances - but come through it. It loses all supporter / player relationships and that's not what the experience is about for me.

Done well, and we have also seen this with the previous arrangements, the majority of the players are with us most of a season - with a few on the edges dropping in and out, either through injury return or just getting more game time as required. This can work for everyone.

I think the bit that's "new" to me is the comments on the coaching side. With Ian Vass and Jake Sharp at Saints, and Alex Rae and Paul Tupai at the Blues, some existing connections and relationships seem obvious. Style of play will be an interesting challenge I suspect, but it's got more chance of working with Chris Boyd at Saints than it did with Jim Mallinder and Alan Gaffney. And a huge chunk of the Blues identity for me, is the style of play. 

Financially it makes the biggest sense at this time. And, let's be honest, I suspect that is the over-riding driver.

I would have thought they have made the right decision.

I think there's some truth in that - although actually I think (and I've been saying this both in public and on here since Mose were in the Championship so this isn't in any way sour grapes) that what they are really wanting, and will probably end up with, is "proper" rugby in the premiership and from National 1 down, with an invasion of the bodysnatchers at Level 2 where the husks of what used to be 12 clubs go through the motions at the Prem's bidding. They've been telegraphing it ever more strongly since about 2014, and while some might have thought that the nadir had been reached (and repelled) with the floating of the idea of "buddy clubs" the other year..... .....here we all are again. 

Put it this way, I'd much rather Mose were at level 2, but at the moment there are compensations for not being.

Luckily for Richmond, they are not beholden to Premiership clubs. They have the odd loanee, but mostly it's internal resources. In fact more so than when in Div2 South, when there were two dual registereds. Don't seem to have any of those any more. The ex Harlequins scrum half joined mid last season, but as a proper member while still coaching at Harlequins, from whom he retired last October.

If ever the season starts, it's going to be fun.

LS seem to be feeding us at the moment

Member728

How many LS players have taken the step down and turned out for the co-tenants over the last couple of seasons? 

none have taken the step down 

but quite a few have taken the the step up

certainly better than 

Scottish Richmond  Rugby Club

Yes joining a club that was relegated and playing in the league below is a “step up” 

 .

So Bedford have sold their soul and should be re-named Northampton A for next season whenever it starts.

Not so much "sold their soul" but taking the only lifeline available after RFU funding reduction and the financial straits from Covid-19. So many businesses have been unable to weather the storm and have collapsed into administration, this was a lifeline for Bedford

I am a Bedford man and I am happy with that and would not want to play a couple of leagues lower.

Of course I would prefer to have full financial independence and total control over the direction in which the club wants to travel. Sadly the current, and unfolding, uncertainty of Championship League rugby makes this liaison (or merger) all the more sensible in order to give the club and its supporters something on which to go forward.

At this level the days of clubs playing exclusively with home-grown, local lads is long gone and we all ship in players from anywhere and everywhere to put a competitive squad together. The fact remains that Bedford and Northampton are both East Midlands clubs with a long history of players representing both teams.

Bedford in recent years have been labelled as Leicester, Saints and Saracens second XV, no different to the arrangements other Championship clubs have had with their local Premiership sides. The only difference I can see with this arrangement is that it has been more publicly discussed.

I would also say our squad will be slightly higher than 15. We’ve got 10 signed, 6 players due to re-sign and about 5 or so new signings we’re hoping to make so squad will be a touch over 20 probably. We’re not offering any contracts until we have a start date and confirmation of funding levels so we can set a budget. Again, confused how other clubs have been able to set budgets with absolutely no idea of what/when their income will be. It’s an odd way of running a business.

Also to those that say that there could be a loss of identity, Bedford School provide many academy players to Northampton and even the Blues did previously to Saints, so some of these “Northampton” players will actually be playing at their hometown club.

I see this as a insurance policy to make sure the best supported club (and profitable) in the division (excl. Club 13) survive in these uncertain times. This actually helps supply a little extra financial support to other clubs in the division from the travelling fans. A winning Blues team (hopefully) is good for the division as the travelling support increases.

I've not listened to the podcast but the use of the word merger would suggest two becoming one.  That is obviously not the case here as both clubs are remaining separate entities. It appears just to be a loan deal. 

I think the more important point is that it will secure rugby at Goldington Road for the next few years. Whereas with a 50% RFU funding cut (and how many of think that will be the end of it? The implication made was that if the RFU doesn't get income from Autumn International games that this could drop to zero for the 20/21 season) and a loss of 4 or 5 (my memory fades) home games this season, and the start of next not being until 2021 (at the earliest) that must have been in doubt over the last few months. 

A further point in the podcast was that the Championship will not look anything like the same in 3 or so years time. And those who have seen the front page of today's Rugby Paper (referring to Edward Griffiths 76 page report) will have some indication of what they might be. 

So lot's of changes likely. The security of a 3 year deal with Saints through this time looks hugely attractive to me. 

Towards the end of this period then let's have another look at it and mark it as a success or failure at that point. But doing the same things and expecting the same old outcomes would look a worse decision in my book.

Like many others, been there done that, also seen some good rugby elsewhere.

Dan - I'm not sure you can be a supporter of a club without supporting the club.  Unless by voting with your feet you mean walking down to Goldington Road when rugby resumes.

McGee - I'm assuming you're using "like many others" in the same way that Trump does - i.e. just him or him and his yes men.  I've not noticed a significant drop off in support over the years.

Wishing no ill will on Bedford - the Top 4 will depend on the quality of the squad they retain (tbh - I do not know how good those who are remaining are - likelihood are some are good some aren't and probably squad players), and the quality of the players that are "signed" to them by Northampton and how good they are - considering they are unlikely to be top 3 choices in the Northampton squad based on the reasons stipulated in said agreement mentioned by their Chairman you would have to wonder what abilities they will bring to Bedford that Bedford couldn't do prior to this other than assisting with the purse strings. If Northampton has a great squad in depth then yes Bedford have every chance of being high up the table, conversely, if they don't well .....?

What I do agree with is that Bedford is very much likely to be around in 3 years time - which can only be good news for them and their supporters. 

We have lost squad/utility players so I expect to see a real mixture from Saints with inexperienced growing through the season when required.

I will be there, vote has been cast. Thanks for asking. 

Chris Boyd was clear that the saints players have to earn the right to start. His view is if they are good enough to be considered future saints players, then they should be able to force themselves into our lineup and if they can’t get into our team then they probably aren’t ready for the step up. I would say about 7 of our current retained players are nailed on starters. Whoever saints give us, they’re not going to displace Rich Lane from full back for example. Not sure if this type of thing will be factored into the players we receive.

Personally, for the reasons mentioned above I don’t expect us to be challenging towards the top of the table. Given our access to them, these are likely to be very fringe saints players. Some of these will no doubt be useful players, but some of them will probably turn out to not be high end championship players yet. I’m hoping we have Connor Tupai who would likely be our regular 9 and make a big impact, but I think we’d only get a player of his quality due to his personal links with the club (he is a fan after all).

Make no mistake though, this deal has not been made with the aim of pushing for a high league position. It’s been made to secure our financial health for the next 3 years whilst the pandemic/funding/league structure is in flux and, hopefully, to secure still being in the 2nd tier of English rugby at the end of it.

That great news Dan, sorry for any misunderstanding on my part!

I don't think I've watched a game in recent years without both sides having premiership players in their side, who were loaned, lent or whatever the excuse was.

Most clubs have informal arrangements where players come and go and there is no consistency, all Bedford have done is formalise it.........

What makes me smile is that the "Bedford" fans who have voted with their feet where never happy anyway and spent most of time moaning even when we did well!

I will be there, look forward to it, and I don't think anyone in their right mind would be too concerned with final table position, we'll be glad to be there at all and will welcome everyone to our ground!

Bedford have a level of support that most clubs would love to achieve. It's a proper rugby club and the match day atmosphere at Goldington Road is brilliant. Pirates always have ding-dong battles with The Blues and the games are always a highlight of the season. Really looking forward to our next visit.

Don't worry you will be able to tell the Saints imports as they will be the only ones able to afford to wear socks!

https://twitter.com/saintsrugby/status/1290263710154420225?s=21" rel="nofollow - https://twitter.com/saintsrugby/status/1290263710154420225?s=21

Best of luck Bedord, I am sure you will have great success on the pitch and you have a fantastic support . . but what have you become?

I think it is more what have they stayed and they have stayed Bedford Blues RFC rather than Bedford Blues RFC deceased.

True they could make all their staff redundant and carry on as an amateur club at the lower levels if it came to it but maybe those running Bedford Blues think that the actions they have taken to protect jobs both on and off the field of play is the better approach.

As a person who remembers the darkness when Mr Warren left, and Voldemort, sorry Gurney tried to move us to Coventry, retaining Bedford Blues will always be our desire as supporters.

Thankfully prior to the CoVid issues those at the helm of the club have kept us staying safe. 

When the players are loaned out semi long term it can work but in my opinion many players loaned to clubs are not the greatest players but there are the exceptions of course.

All deals in the past and this one with Saints are on the basis the player has to earn the right to play.  Also the parent clubs have always supported and encouraged the policy, as if they can't earn the right to play for Blues then how will they ever get near the bench of the Premiership.

This often happens with new signings too.  Quite often the first few games see the retained players start instead of starting all the new signings.

Blues do not generally do pay per game deals.

You could argue that Ealing have not achieved their goal, partly due to poor coaching but also because the size of their squad leaves a lot of well paid but unhappy disruptive players carrying tackle bags and water bottles.

That’s exactly what the PRL want all the Championship clubs to do ! 

I suspect promotion and relegation from the Championship will not be an issue for anyone very soon.

Ampthill Blues has a much better ring to it