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The fact that the summer’s marquee addition resides in the coaches’ box rather than on the pitch speaks volumes about the state of flux in which the Premiership finds itself. Gone are Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Andre Esterhuizen and a host of other stars; brought to replace them are some precious titles.
It is therefore towards Michael Cheika, responsible for giving some pep to Leicester, that fans of the English elite will consider as the most exciting new face. The Australian coach is a considerable coup for a club seeking new direction, but across the country the offseason has been largely one of thrift and frugality. The captures of, say, Waisea Nayacalevu, Fergus Burke or Guy Pepper create considerable intrigue in their own way, but a league that was flying off the shelves into most aisles with abandon not long ago is now largely looking for yellow stickers and a bargain or two. .
This perhaps partly explains why the build-up to the new season has been dominated by talk of an uncertain future. Renewed talk of an Anglo-Welsh overhaul, or a fully-fledged British and Irish league, is a relatively reliable autumn scenario, but current discussions about overhauling the European game appear to be more serious.
Insiders insist that any radical overhaul is far from possible, and administrators are simply exploring the possibilities. But it is recognized that a structure in which almost all clubs lose money is undesirable – although this is not unique to English football – and it is desirable to consider what might, if if necessary, be done differently.
It is partly a need for financial viability which explains why most of the announced departures were not directly replaced. It has been a summer of withdrawals rather than withdrawals at Premiership clubs as wage bills and squad sizes have been reduced, helped by a disconcerting schedule which is expected to see fewer bodies needed throughout the season. It’s far from good news that more than 30 players have been left without a job, although it is definitely preferable because of the upheaval that would be caused if another club went to the wall.
The unveiling of the Professional Game Partnership (PGP) in early September could mark the official start of a new era that truly began with the collaborative approach taken to secure this deal. The deal between English rugby influencers will shape the game for the next eight years as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) seeks to address what it sees as two decades of underperformance by England men and the Premiership attempts to build a model that is the best ally to achieve this goal.
There is a desire to provide greater opportunities for a new generation of talent, particularly following the Under-20 World Cup crown won brilliantly in South Africa. For players like Northampton flanker Henry Pollock, Gloucester prop Afolabi Fasogbon and Newcastle full-back Ben Redshaw, among others, the opportunity could present itself. Those yearning for new stars might well look to local heroes – that’s not a bad thing at all.
The future of the second tier is crucial to ensuring all young talent is maximized. So it was slightly worrying that the PGP passed without further details on what it looks like. As it currently exists, the Championship is short of money and made up of clubs with very different objectives. A relegation play-off may be back on the table, but given the difference in funding between the first and second tier, the prospect of promotion seems distant.
So we could keep this current crop of ten plants for at least a few more seasons – which might not be a bad thing. The Premiership produced an exceptional campaign last year, with only Gloucester’s underperformance and Newcastle’s equally status providing flies in some much-needed ointment after a sore season a year previously. Eight teams were in contention for the semi-finals until late in the day; the crowds grew; the final was sold out.
Although the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship each have their merits and support, the Premiership’s on-field product is just as good, if not better, than that of its rival leagues. It could also be argued – given French apathy towards away matches and the travel-intensive nature of the URC’s transcontinental format – that the English top flight offers more competitive and more competitive competitions. consequent.
The attempt to add new narratives will continue with the addition of an additional ‘derby weekend’ and Bristol will host a match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Each match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports as part of an offer which, although of reduced value, guarantees continuity, visibility and quality coverage. The buzzword for their coverage this year is ‘maverick’, a senior executive at the broadcaster recently revealed: in the sometimes staid world of rugby, innovation is usually welcome.
Of the runners and riders, Bath are perhaps most keen to take their chances after last season’s near miss, although Northampton’s quest for back-to-back titles should also be compelling. Cheika’s Leicester revolution will be entertaining whether results improve or not; how Saracens reload without Farrell and Vunipolas could define the fortunes of others. Any of Sale, Harlequins, Bristol and Exeter could become title contenders with a fair wind and a bit of injury luck.
And what more could you ask for, in this time of uncertainty, than a league that almost anyone could win? Who knows where the ongoing discussions about the future will go, but another unpredictable Premiership season should ensure everyone enjoys the ride.
