Championship Rugby

[Mellsblue]

Both clubs intimating that in discussions prior to submission they were told that plans to incrementally increase capacity would be looked upon favourably.

[jimKRFC]

Both clubs intimating that in discussions prior to submission they were told that plans to incrementally increase capacity would be looked upon favourably.

Where is that being reported Mells?

[Mellsblue]

Both clubs intimating that in discussions prior to submission they were told that plans to incrementally increase capacity would be looked upon favourably.

Where is that being reported Mells?

The Times.

[jimKRFC]

Cheers - guess it's pay walled then.

[Mellsblue]

Ealing Trailfinders and Doncaster Knights to appeal decision to deny them shot at promotion to Gallagher Premiership

Will Kelleher, Deputy Rugby Correspondent
Wednesday March 02 2022, 8.00pm, The Times

Doncaster Knights will officially appeal against the decision not to allow them promotion to the Gallagher Premiership next season — and Ealing Trailfinders are set to follow suit.

The Championship teams were both denied promotion as both applicants failed to meet the “minimum standards criteria” to go up, largely as their grounds do not yet have a capacity to hold more than 10,000 fans.

Doncaster, who say they are “disappointed, dismayed and disheartened” by the RFU board, have now taken the option to appeal that decision, and The Times understands that Ealing are readying their case too.

It is believed that both clubs are bemused as to why their applications were rejected, as they had had initial positive conversations with the Professional Game Board (PGB) and RFU in October, when they applied for their grounds to be audited.

It was indicated to the clubs that their idea for a staged increase to the capacities of Castle Park, in Doncaster, and Vallis Way, in Ealing, would be looked favourably upon.

Ealing therefore put together a plan to increase their capacity from 5,000 to 7,500 in year one, to 9,000 in year two and then hit 10,000 in year three.

Neither club asked for a larger, secondary ground to be audited — as Doncaster did with the Keepmoat Stadium in 2016 — as it was suggested to them that their plan to grow their own homes sustainably was a good idea.


The RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said on Tuesday, when Doncaster and Ealing applications were denied: “In the past, clubs with home grounds that would not meet the Minimum Standards Criteria have nominated other grounds under a ground-share agreement to provide a bridge between a club developing its own facilities to provide safe, compliant participation in the Premiership.”

Championship sources have indicated to The Times that they felt there was never a desire among the Premiership to expand to 14 teams next season.

Doncaster, who may now look at using the Hull KR rugby league ground, released a withering statement, which is highly critical of the RFU.

“Doncaster RFC are disappointed, dismayed and disheartened by the decision of the RFU board to disallow the club’s application,” read their statement confirming their appeal.

“Within the audit process, the only failure by the club is to, currently, not be able to demonstrate a capacity crowd of 10,001.

“All other aspects of the audit are in order and Castle Park has, on a number of occasions, demonstrated its proficiency in hosting significant events via both Women’s and Under 20’s international matches.

“At this stage, it can only be stated that the DRFC Board have every confidence that the required capacity could be delivered for season 2022-23 with a standby ground now being available should unexpected delays occur.

“There has been significant debate about the Premiership being open to promotion and relegation, which can only be good for the aspirational nature of clubs, players and fans alike.”

Saracens’s were allowed to return to the top flight despite their stadium being able to hold only 8,000 during its redevelopment

Saracens were allowed to return to the top flight last year despite their capacity at the StoneX Stadium being reduced to about 8,000 as they rebuilt a stand.

Doncaster are incensed by the decision and have also questioned the timing of it. They beat Ealing last Saturday to set up a grandstand finish to the Championship season with the Knights, Trailfinders and Cornish Pirates — who did not apply to go up — all vying for top spot.

Doncaster have accused the RFU of merely going through the motions of an administrative process, while ruining the sense of drama around the final weeks of the Championship season.

“The Championship contest is approaching its climax with at least three teams statistically able to take the winner’s title. By the beginning of April the victor will be known,” continued the Doncaster statement.

“Excitement in the camps and amongst rugby supporters in general is high but that has now been dashed at a stroke.

“Sensibility and fairness dictate that a delay to a decision being made could have been better for all concerned. Now, the teams play the final matches of the season in an atmosphere of despondence.”

Appealing clubs may apply for a delay to their hearing until after the season has concluded, by which point it will be known who has won the Championship.

[Puja]

I'd like to take a moment to appreciate that "Doncaster are disappointed, dismayed and disheartened by the decision to disallow."

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Hopefully they got in it writing that the phased expansion was a good idea!

The press guy from Newscs (Mark Smith) is pushing the line the SGS act says it has to be 10K seater, which is clearly not true if you read it.
To be fair it says 5000 for premier league football, but not sure how'd they could argue a stadium for 5000 football fans is safe but the same ground isn't safe for 5000 rugby fans.

[Mellsblue]

Just listened to the Championship Clubs podcast and some good points were made.

The MSC submission had to be submitted in November ‘21. So, the clubs will have needed to work on the submission itself, alternative ground and planning permission off the back of a season with no spectators and during the start of a new season with spectators and complicated covid safe procedures that come with them, with coffers depleted by no crowds and the large cut in RFU funding. They are small businesses that run at a loss - expecting them to have the resources, financial and personnel, to cope with all of the above seems a big ask.

[Mellsblue]

#durable #legend

[Mellsblue]

#durable #legend

A couple of years old but a it’s a good little article about Mike Rayer:
https://www.therugbyjournal.com/rugby-blog/mike-rayer

[Mellsblue]

https://www.jerseyreds.je/news_article/ ... ing-plans/

[Mellsblue]

[FKAS]

Boo, was rooting for Donny. Need a team in Yorkshire to start becoming big news for the good of the game.

[Puja]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61191802

Ealing withdraw their appeal for this season, effectively saying in their statement that they don't want to be forced to hire a 10k stadium that they wouldn't be able to fill.

13 Prem teams again next year and Doncaster get another chance of glory. I have to say that the 13 team league has worked out far better than I thought it would, and I do quite like the idea of bye-weeks for players to recuperate in.

Puja

[Peej]

Knock on effect means keeping the two-legged Euros format I think

[Puja]

Knock on effect means keeping the two-legged Euros format I think

Surely not - there's two other leagues to work around rather than just ours and it's a RWC year.

Puja

[Peej]

Yeah but it's the odd number of teams we put into the comps that scuppers the normal course of things. Or is one Prem team not going to be included in Europe? That could actually make teams more competitive in the absence of relegation

[Puja]

Yeah but it's the odd number of teams we put into the comps that scuppers the normal course of things. Or is one Prem team not going to be included in Europe? That could actually make teams more competitive in the absence of relegation

Ohhhh, you mean the crossing over of pools nonsense. I thought you meant the two-legged second round that they did this year. Yeah, okay, that makes sense.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Ealing statement:
“Ealing Trailfinders is confident that the PGB, having reconsidered the matter, will want to reform the MSC to make promotion a real and affordable option for any and all Championship clubs.”

“In Ealing’s view, the number of spectators for promoted clubs must be grown sustainably and over time so that promoted sides or those with ambitions for promotion are not forced either into speculative, rapid, unsustainable and unnecessary spending on unused stands or facilities or into expensive ground-share deals which take them away from their core fan base, employees, volunteers and communities.

“Ealing expect the PGB’s review carefully to consider the case for reducing the required minimum capacity as well as allowing it to be achieved by newly promoted clubs in staggered increments, before adopting the MSC for the 2022-23 season.”

RFU & Prem Rugby statement:
“The RFU has reiterated it will continue to collaborate with Championship clubs on the development of a sustainable Championship as well as a commitment of the PGB to review standards relating to minimum capacity.”


All very sensible, IMO.

[Which Tyler]

Absolutely - most of the MSCs are absolutely fine - but the capacity requirement is an absolute joke, and way to have ringfencing through the back door.

Mind, the "[we are] confident that the PGB, having reconsidered the matter, will want to reform the MSC to make promotion a real and affordable option for any and all Championship clubs" seems more wildly optimistic, than sensible

[Mellsblue]

Mind, the "[we are] confident that the PGB, having reconsidered the matter, will want to reform the MSC to make promotion a real and affordable option for any and all Championship clubs" seems more wildly optimistic, than sensible

Yep. Hope over experience.

[Mellsblue]

Caldy promoted from Nat 1.

[Mellsblue]

[Mellsblue]

Bryan Redpath named as new DoR for London Scottish.

[Mellsblue]

Bryan Redpath named as new DoR for London Scottish.

and Joe Gray as head coach.