Confirmed Championship start date
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Topic: Confirmed Championship start date
Posted By: Pirate Pig
Subject: Confirmed Championship start date
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:10
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The Greene King IPA Championship will commence the 2020/21 season on the weekend of 6th March, 2021.
Operating under the elite sport framework, the Greene King IPA Championship league will be split into two conferences. Teams will play home and away within their conference producing 10 competition rounds, subsequent to which there will be a two leg play off final between the winner of each league to determine the team that will earn promotion to the Gallagher Premiership for the 2021/22 season.
The conferences will be determined by standings when the 2019/2020 season ended in March 2020; with Saracens taking the place of Newcastle Falcons and Richmond replacing Yorkshire Carnegie.
Therefore, the two Conferences will be:
Conference A: Saracens, Cornish Pirates, Ampthill, Jersey Reds, London Scottish, Hartpury.
Conference B: Ealing Trailfinders, Coventry, Nottingham, Bedford Blues, Doncaster Knights, Richmond. |
Replies:
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:17
| Desperate to get Sarries back in the Prem. |
Posted By: Stalwart
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:17
| Good news. Fingers crossed all will be well by March and we can support our teams home and away. |
Posted By: Standing On The 40
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:25
Too right they are. What does that small print say? In the event of Saracens still being behind after a 2 legged final there will be a 3rd leg.) |
KnightsBoy wrote:Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:37
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No mention of relegation......? I suppose with no fixtures below that is a given for the Champioship but will there be relegation from the Premiership? Hardly any games to be played either - in proposed structure it showed 1 leg against the other pool teams (either home or away). ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:47
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So the Jan 16th restart, understandably off. Sorry i think that should read restart September 2021 ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:48
There was a 16-game draft, which would have involved starting late January - this became impossible. The slimmed-down version seems to be about the maximum possible in the circumstances. Given that there will be no level 3 rugby, I think we can safely assume no club will go down from level two to three next May/June. It remains to be seen whether any club will be relegated from the Prem at the same point...
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 11:58
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This is on the premise that the League finishes in May - if it went on for a few more weeks to late June it is feasible. And then the next season starts a tad later finishes a tad later then balance is restored ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Albert Fishwick
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 12:35
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With so few games the dreaded Covid 28-0 could foul this up as it is at Premiership level. ------------- That's easy for you to say. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 13:18
| Be very interesting if Saracens cop for a handful of 28-0 defeats - Won't matter about the rest of course! |
Posted By: LJ from Roth
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 13:25
| Also implied in the statement is the ongoing question of funding testing - or not testing! TRP yesterday quoting £20k a week for it - not many Champ clubs can afford that. |
Posted By: Pappashanga
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 13:39
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Surely the vaccines will be available by March? ------------- pappashanga |
Posted By: stadium
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 13:40
| My bet is still a 14 Team Premiership.That is the only way that 100% secures Saracens back in the Premiership where their flare is missed in this dull season. |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 14:33
Is that the flare they used to burn the salary cap rules for each of the prior six seasons?
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 15:23
Current estimate is for all over 65s and clinically at risk persons will be vaccinated by end of March. Not many of those playing rugby as far as I am aware ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 15:25
Cynical, Lou. But almost believable  ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 16:10
Still, it will be entertaining to see the likes of Farrell and Vunipola running through the Ampthill woods. It will force the elites to face those they left behind.
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 22:15
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Saracens are among those involved in trying to set up a pre-season cup competition, according to the last para of https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/19133/12169481/new-look-championship-to-begin-in-march-as-saracens-seek-top-flight-return" rel="nofollow - this Sky Sports story... https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/19133/12169481/new-look-championship-to-begin-in-march-as-saracens-seek-top-flight-return
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Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2020 at 23:27
| The way things are going the 6 March is optimistic. Can’t see many areas being ready in Feb for some pre-season friendlies, especially with more areas expected to go to Tier 4. |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 08:08
| By hook or by crook, Sarries are going up. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 08:46
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 10:29
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You want to see the Jersey Exiles playing CC? ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 10:30
So that will be crook - or is that crooked? ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 19:31
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Saracens were punished by being demoted to the Championship to play for one full season in the Championship and if they were successful they would have gone straight back up. The key point is that they have not played a season in the Championship. They should be made to wait until all the Championship sides have time to build a squad and to recover in readiness for a new season starting in September. There are several teams who could surprise Saracens on the day. Most Championship sides will rise to the occasion and really challenge the `Premiership` side. ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2020 at 20:05
 ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 09:38
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 11:51
It is going to be a better year and I would look forward to you attending. Stay Safe and Stay Well. ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 17:46
He keeps trying the 'Tommy' reference. Someone'll notice eventually. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 09:01
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Rich
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2020 at 11:11
| I feel sorry for those teams that won't get a bumper pay day for hosting Sarcens...although it may still be none if spectators are not permitted (and if they are not, why even bother - oh yes, to get Saracens back up ASAP) |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2020 at 11:21
Yes, I think an especially bitter pill for Ealing and Richmond. Those would have been bumper crowds. This is why I have always been a fan of a Prem/champ cup, just the extra gate from a couple Prem teams could really help club finances at no cost to the RFU.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2020 at 12:50
I think a Prem/Championship cup would be a good idea, especially if the championship sides were given home draws in the first round. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Welshie7
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 10:52
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Hi As I posted on another thread a combined cup will not work. Too many Championship clubs depend on DR/loans to put sides out. These players would potentially be playing against their ‘home’ club. The gulf between Championship (minus DR) and Premiership is big. Would a Championship/N1 Cup with N1 clubs at home in 1st Rnd not have been a better option for the RFU to consider or include N2 too with the lower league club always hosting the fixture so potentially hosting a N1 and Championship club in consecutive rounds?
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 11:26
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Nat 1 DoRs have agreed to cut the league from 16 to 14 as they feel 30 games is too much. I am not sure how you add a cup to a calendar that is already too full. I know in the past we had 14 team leagues and the knockout cup and one of the most bruising games I ever watched was the fixture at London Welsh in the season Cambridge were spending freely looking for promotion to the old Nat1. But many of the games were complete mismatches. That season Exeter 115 -0 Preston Grasshoppers. Leeds had two 50+ whitewashes over Dings and Coventry. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Welshie7
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 11:53
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Yes maybe they should have considered before re-shaping. In terms of mis-matches well I think the strength of the leagues has changed. Less of a gap top end N1 and 4th downwards of Championship. In saying this I do think bottom end N1 and N2 (South as not seen North) is definitely getting poorer year on year. Is it the ‘sameness’ of fixtures or playing styles, something is needed to re-energise a sport that has some global issues to sort out.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 13:30
Absolutely no point in adding a cup to Level 3 or Level 4 - the league size is reducing to allow for more rest weeks - adding a meaningless cup would defeat that objective. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 13:33
I'm not sure the standard has dropped in N2S - just the teams are more equal in strength. It is still very difficult for the 3 promoted clubs to stay up. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Welshie7
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 16:04
| According to players and coaches in N2 they would disagree with you about the lessening of standard....evening out maybe but if you look back at the strength of those teams who have been promoted 4-5 years ago compared to more recently.... |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 17:48
Agreed N2S loses 2 teams to N1 virtually every year, most years only 1 team gets relegated from N1 to N2S. This means the standard of N2S is evening out. Yes, there have been some really good teams in N2S over the past years - most promoted teams from N2S seem to do reasonably well in N1 (such as Chinnor, Rams in the last couple of years. There is an imbalance in N1 with a lot more Southern sides than Northern. Having watched 1 N2N game (not a large sample size admittedly) - I was not impressed with either team. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Exiled_Scots
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 22:26
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Looks like the Confirmed Championship Start Date of 6th March has been blown out of the water with the introduction of Tier 5. The date was delusional at best when first mentioned and back to the drawing board for the RFU to justify a legitimate route back to the Premiership for Saracens. ------------- Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!! Seven down one to go |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 22:34
So that will be crook - or is that crooked? [/QUOTCrooked ! Not a word you would normally associate with Rugby Union but looking forward to the future it will be synonymous with Saracens and the players involved. In the future ( not looking back ) over old news ! I believe Saracens will be back in the Premiership even if they never play a game in the Championship. Fairplay ! in reality it is a rare occurence in sport and less in ' professional rugby union. ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 23:04
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So is it a 14 team Premiership? Saracens and Ealing ‘promoted’. But will the 10 Championship clubs bite the bullet. Bring in 6 teams from National 1, two conferences. Possibly to offer clubs stability no relegation for one or two seasons? Guessing a September 2021 restart? ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: Richard Lowther
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 23:04
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I've locked one thread, do you want me to do it to this one too? Richard ------------- Moderator http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk" rel="nofollow - National League Rugby Message Boards Remember Wakefield RFC |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 08:41
 ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 13:36
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Excellant contribution ! Much better than a row of ZZZZzzzzz's
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 13:43
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I am being optimistic. The whole idea of this lockdown is to reduce deaths while the vaccine is rolled out. If the roll out means that deaths drop massively (which it should do when we get through the first couple of priority groups), then I could see life getting back to reasonably normal by March. To me, the vaccine being out there makes this a very different lock down than the previous couple as there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
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Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 13:52
There goes another rib... ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 13:54
I'd say that's exceedingly optimistic. Can't see anything happening until September now. Hope I'm wrong. ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 14:16
Absolutely right. How dare people discuss rugby-related issues on a rugby thread on a rugby forum!
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Posted By: Mickyboy
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2021 at 19:43
| Rumours about that clubs some clubs have not been allocated the funding they have applied for and in the circumstances they will not be taking part in the Championship deadline is Friday. No sure how the land lies there but I understand where they are coming from if funding is not what they expected |
Posted By: Westcoaster
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2021 at 22:34
Nailed it with your first word....."rumours'..... yawn ------------- Come on Jersey........ |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2021 at 09:05
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If that rumour could be substantiated with statements of fact from clubs then it would have some weight but whilst a rumour sadly it is just that. I heard a rumour I was getting a 50% pay rise, but as I work for the NHS it will end up being a 1.5% cut in real terms.....actually that did happen last April (the pay cut) so not really a rumour. Let us just wait and see what happens regarding clubs playing or not playing rather than chucking the hand grenade into the room :-) ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: isleonian
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2021 at 18:07
| castleparknight, maybe cut NHS salaries and de-nationalise that company to help the Government fund Championship rugby clubs? |
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2021 at 18:44
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Perfect plan ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Mickyboy
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 13:44
| https://www.ampthillrufc.com/arufc-request-for-help/?fbclid=IwAR2kidquqiv0jzqfgaoiTT9eWVUj9FHKvoIH79PqWvJeSoTWkJ6CzSKGVgI" rel="nofollow - https://www.ampthillrufc.com/arufc-request-for-help/?fbclid=IwAR2kidquqiv0jzqfgaoiTT9eWVUj9FHKvoIH79PqWvJeSoTWkJ6CzSKGVgI From Ampthill Rugby club |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 14:00
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So effectively Rugby outside the top flight, might return in September ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 14:31
The lack of grants for Rugby's second tier is ridiculous. If it is elite sport, then it deserves some kind of funding.
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Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 15:48
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Gerg, its not "elite" enough, remember RFU CEO Bill Sweeney believes the Championship is more aligned to the Community game than the Premiership. I said elsewhere that outside of Ealing, Donny and Sarries it was unlikely that the rest of the Championship was going to find tens of 1000s of £s to pay for effective testing. The lack of grants is because "rugby's 2nd Tier" is NOT self-sufficient and Clubs like ET cannot purport to be "elite" when your average crowd is just over 1000, indeed the average attendance in the Championship is just over 1600 (2018/19 season) and that's with at least one big fish per year coming down from the Prem. Other than the Premiership (and Premier 15s) we won't see any other League rugby until mid-September if we are lucky. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 15:56
Crowd size has nothing to do with whether or not a team is "Elite". I am constantly baffled by the lack of crowds, but if you cut funding, don't advertise the league, and create a non-competitive league structure (no playoffs, huge parachute payment) it is no surprise that the league struggles. Bill Sweeny should be canned immediately - his leadership has been non-existent, and failing to get a better funding package for teams up and down the ladder stops at his door.
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Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 21:21
| I’d be surprised if there’s a league game before January 2022 |
Posted By: Mickyboy
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 13:50
| Further to my comments earlier about season possibly not going ahead today’s Rugby Paper page 1 Tier Two clubs set to pull out of the season. Aware of the Ampthill problems also mentions Pirates and London Scottish saying in as many as 6 teams considering their positions. |
Posted By: Stalwart
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 20:19
This announced today (Monday 1st Feb)20/21 Season UpdateFollowing a lengthy application and negotiation process with Sport England, Cornish Pirates are delighted to report that we will be taking our place in the Championship 2020/21 season, due to start on 6th March 2021. This has been a very long road and not one without its challenges. There are still a few finer details to iron out but I am extremely pleased that with the support of Sport England we seem able to overcome them for our staff, players and supporters. As you may have seen reported, unfortunately grant applications were rejected and so this leaves Clubs to face the huge Covid related costs of testing, and in our case increased cost of travel, themselves. We anticipate not being able to host supporters for many of the games, if at all, which leaves Clubs with little to no income. The support we have received has been overwhelming and we will be appealing to anyone who is able to help us continue through this process with a contribution towards these costs. My thanks go to everyone involved, the Board, the players/staff and the supporters, with a special mention of course to Dicky Evans without whom we would not be in the position we have been to ride out the storm. We are looking forward to bringing rugby back after a long 12 months! Rebecca Thomas, CEO/Finance Director, Cornish Pirates |
Posted By: Scrumtime
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 07:28
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Thats totally different to the message sent to the London Scottish playing squad last night by their Chairman. They have decided with no funding not to take part and shut up shop till Sept 21. With travel not allowed to Jersey..It could be a 5 team league! |
Posted By: marigold
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 08:04
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Scrumtime do you not mean 4; Saracens, Cornish Pirates,Hartpury and Ampthill (if their crowdfunding for testing is successful?) |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 08:13
What's the odds on the RFU using the trailfinders cup to determine promotion 😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Posted By: Scrumtime
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 09:27
Saracens Ealing Gov Funded Hartpury Saints 2s in Bedford Cornish Pirates |
Posted By: Pappashanga
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 11:21
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Richmond To Play Championship Season
This has been a very difficult decision for the club’s directors who were concerned not only with the financial impact on the club but on the wider community and the recent high incidence of COVID-19. The club has already received funds from the RFU/PRL in anticipation of playing in the 2020/21 Championship season, a league regarded as elite. We also completed a crowdfunding campaign in September, helping raise funds to replace the loss of our main club sponsor after six years. However, the cost of PCR testing, alongside COVID-related costs, and playing with no crowds will inevitably impact the club financially and will result in a loss this year, in addition to the losses in 2020. We are disappointed that grants were not made available for testing and other COVID-related costs. Our men’s first-team squad, who have been training three times a week since July, were consulted ahead of this decision, and after lengthy discussions the board felt on balance that Richmond should compete in the league, within a safe testing environment, and in keeping with our club vision, “To provide an inspiring environment where a culture of ambition promotes rugby excellence, enjoyment, and friendship.” Chairman of Richmond, John Heaton, said: “I am delighted that finally we can take our place in the Greene King IPA Championship. The players have trained since July and deserve their chance. I am very grateful to our sponsors who have stuck by us and hope that our members get some enjoyment from watching the streamed matches.” ------------- pappashanga |
Posted By: hills17
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 11:35
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Coventry have confirmed they are taking part too.
Good on Richmond. Just donated in Ampthill fund raiser. I’m a Plymouth fan, felt right as good rise over the years and enjoyed my visits to Ampthill and matches home and away. Great to follow their rise.
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Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 11:45
From what I see, websites conform Cornish Pirates Coventry Nottingham Richmond already seen the following play Docaster Ealing Saracens unknown Ampthill Bedford Hartpury Jersey London Scottish So currently seven teams Will non participation involve sanctions? Or will clubs be allowed to wait it out? More importantly could we see a non participating club at the bottom of the Championship 21/22, as effectively they could be 18 months without a match? Would be the worst relegation. ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 14:17
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So with the recent announcements, I make it 9 clubs have confirmed they will take part. London Scottish won’t. There’s been nothing from Hartpury. And Ampthill is still up in the air, but looking increasing likely they will take part. Edit: not sure there has been any official announcement from Jersey but I’m certain they will take part
------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 14:34
| Are you able to fly to and from Jersey? |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2021 at 14:52
As Saracens failed to win it - less than zero I would say. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 07:02
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Hartpury have now confirmed they are participating this year http://hartpuryrfc.co.uk/rfc-news/hartpury-commit-to-the-championship/" rel="nofollow - http://hartpuryrfc.co.uk/rfc-news/hartpury-commit-to-the-championship/
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 07:28
https://www.jerseyairport.com/flight/arrivals" rel="nofollow - Arrivals | Ports of Jersey (jerseyairport.com) ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: marigold
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 07:52
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Corporal i think you will find the current issue is not being able to fly to and from Jersey from the UK mainland on a Saturday and there being enough time between flights to prepare for and play a match. To go using BA for example the only flight going on March 6th lands at 1425 and has to leave at 1510 ! |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 09:27
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: marigold
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 12:03
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No offence taken at all . Just seems a very tricky situation for them to get teams across to play. However don't you have a good many wealthy residents who may be able to lend a plane or two? Lovely today in SE London as well! |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 12:32
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Ampthill have confirmed they are playing https://www.ampthillrufc.com/arufc-participation-statement-2021-greene-king-ipa-championship-season/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ampthillrufc.com/arufc-participation-statement-2021-greene-king-ipa-championship-season/ For every club, especially without a rich backer, well done for the sacrifice. ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2021 at 14:49
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2021 at 11:33
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So we’re up to 10 teams confirmed, 1 confirmed not. Although people have mentioned Jersey’s travel issues, they did tweet a couple of weeks ago which suggested they fully intended to participate.
------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2021 at 23:19
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I imagine that's Cov's pre-season sorted now, with Jersey added (BPA) to the previously-announced home and away games with Sarries.
------------- Our Club |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 07:29
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https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/rugby/2021/02/06/jersey-reds-wait-for-government-approval-to-play/" rel="nofollow - Jersey Reds wait for government approval to play | Jersey Evening Post
The local newspaper report on situation. The Island club are on course to begin the much-delayed 2020/21 campaign on 6 March but have yet to receive final approval from the Government of Jersey. They have also been hampered by Rugby Football Union-related set-backs in London, compounded on Friday by an 11th-hour abandonment of a vote on whether to abolish Premiership relegation. It is understood that outgoing Government of Jersey chief executive Charlie Parker called an executive meeting on Thursday to discuss the Reds’ upcoming campaign and their lockdown exemption, while also touching on whether community team sport should remain banned. It has been argued elsewhere that outdoor grassroots leagues could be permitted to resume if the Reds receive a government green-light to play, given that Harvey Biljon’s men will be hosting incoming squads at St Peter and themselves be travelling to the mainland for fixtures. However, the rugby club’s professional status represents a strong counter-argument, with the Reds working under strict restrictions as part of an elite sports framework imposed by the UK government and the RFU, including tight ‘bubbles’ and being tested twice a week. Under such measures, it is likely that inbound clubs will be forced to fly in via charter, travel straight to and from Stade Santander and be kept away from the wider Island community. One alternative route around Jersey’s border-protection policies would be for the Reds to play their opening five fixtures all away from home, meaning visiting squads – numbering 30-plus – will not arrive until at least mid-April, when a lower Covid-case rate would be anticipated. With Championship fixtures now due to be released on Monday, it is believed that Island politicians will meet health officials again early next week to establish their final stance. If approval is given, Reds’ staff could attempt to squeeze in at least one pre-season fixture before league games begin. Championship clubs were initially placed into two groups of six for the adapted season but London Scottish’s decision to withdraw this week appears to have put paid to that plan. It is now thought that a straight 11-team league will be established, with clubs playing each other just once, for a ten-game season. Home and away fixtures will be drawn at random. Coventry Website: Original details removed to avoid confusion. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: stadium
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 08:49
| Saracens need a start date ASAP. The way their rusty players played yesterday for England reflected in not being match fit. |
Posted By: marigold
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 11:20
| The start date is March 6th. Their England players will not play for Saracens until March 27th after the 6 Nations has concluded. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 14:22
If (as rumoured) the format is an 11 team league with random home and away, then I would bet good money that (randomly) Saracens get the weakest sides in the first couple of weeks.
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 15:03
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I bet you are correct gerg ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 15:11
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 16:23
Without doubt ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: marigold
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 18:44
| The conspiracy theorists are rampant today. I would imagine more likely the other way as the RFU has to be seen to be fair. We shall wait and see who is correct-fixtures must be confirmed by the end of the coming week. |
Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2021 at 21:48
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Aaand... the Jersey match info has now been pulled from the Cov website.
So who knows? ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 14:20
| The simple extremely sad fact is that the Cheats will be back in the Premiership next season whatever does or doesn't happen in the Championship. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 15:34
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Fixtures up! https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/news/article/greene-king-ipa-championship-fixtures-confirmed-for-upcoming-season" rel="nofollow - https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/news/article/greene-king-ipa-championship-fixtures-confirmed-for-upcoming-season |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 15:36
And I'm JUST AMAZED that Ealing has to play at Saracens in round 7. Shocked. Unbelievable. What fix. I'll be cheering for Pirates in round 1.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 15:39
So 1st weekend in March - anyone taking bets on a delay? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 16:10
| Call me Mr Cynical if you like but strange that Saracens have miracously drawn a bye on one international weekend 20/3 and Jersey Reds at home on the other 13/3 when overseas travel restrictions may well still be in place and hence match postponed to the first reserve date? It could all be legit and random of course (allegedly!) |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 16:33
Yeah, you'll also note that they don't have to go to Ampthill's cozy ground, and Ealing have been put on ice with a bye the week before a break, so that if they make the playoffs, then they won't have played in 3 weeks. This is horseapples.
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 16:44
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Pirates have got a brilliant draw I strongly fancy them to make the play-offs.
Jersey Website quotes: “As part of our willingness to be flexible in order to get the season started, we have indicated that we are willing to accept a 3:7 split of home and away games, and are grateful to both Richmond and Doncaster Knights for helping us reach an understanding about hosting us on the weekends when they were due to fly to Jersey.” Jersey Reds – Greene King IPA Championship 2020/21 w/e Mar 6th: bye week I hope Donny send some pies back with the Charter!
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: stadium
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 17:59
| Saracens will be very nervous about playing first game in Penzance. How many young academy players will they chance playing at a difficult location? |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 18:44
Hopefully loads
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2021 at 21:14
Few thoughts on this, having been unable to comment as speculation mounted in recent days:
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