RugbyRebels

Indeed. Saints with another 4 free points.

I’m relieved as it’s my team dodging the bullet potentially, but seems a bit ‘dirty’

Not surprised it's happened - I am surprised there was opposition to it. I'd like to think it was Bristol (at least) but can't see that being the case!

No surprise and even as a big advocate of promotion and relegation it’s an exceptional decision is exceptional times. Not sure “three or four seasons” is required. If it does last that long then I’d bet it’ll be ringfenced for the long term.

Mellsblue wrote:No surprise and even as a big advocate of promotion and relegation it’s an exceptional decision is exceptional times. Not sure “three or four seasons” is required. If it does last that long then I’d bet it’ll be ringfenced for the long term.

Agreed, I can accept it for one year in exceptional circumstances (but no idea why they'd want a league of 13!), but we must return to promotion and relegation ASAP

Does the RFU statement not suggest that promotion and relegation as we know it may be over for good?

I don't see why this is a good idea. I mean, I get cancelling relegation but 13 teams? And then reviewing minimum criteria to keep it a closed shop? Pretty terrible.

I understand the logic

I don’t understand the 13 teams thing at all.

I mean, I know that by it’s happening, but it’s clearly there only to serve Saracens interests

I have nothing against the club - on the contrary, I respect the quality of their production line - but this is all wrong.

Saracens being allowed back up isn't only about serving the interests of Sarries, it creates a more valuable product. And too they could get Sarries back up whilst keeping relegation, so on that basis it's hard to see it's even much about Sarries

Are there now any major rugby tournaments that don't have a glass ceiling to protect the elite?

There's the T14 and then?

Digby wrote:Saracens being allowed back up isn't only about serving the interests of Sarries, it creates a more valuable product. And too they could get Sarries back up whilst keeping relegation, so on that basis it's hard to see it's even much about Sarries

And if Saracens don't win the Championship?

If an interupted season means that you can't properly judge who's worthy of relegation (fair), then how can an interupted season mean that you can judge who's worthy of promotion?

Do Sarries really give a better product? They attract less than 10k spectators for home games. If it's about the players, they'll leave and join Pram clubs and still enrich the league.

Sarries and Exeter have both pushed the standard forwards. So yes they make it a better product. Wasps sometimes do, the rest...., well it's been a while

Sarries may only attract a small stadium audience, but the cohesion of their play and the squad they've built does add a lot, it's all very well saying the players would move, but the likelihood is they've move to Glaws, or Irish or Quins and just become part of Project Meh, still it could be worse, they could move to Tigers and become part of Project Just How Is a Club This Big Failing, Christ You Inept Bastards. It's possible I need some snappier project names

Oakboy wrote:

Digby wrote:Saracens being allowed back up isn't only about serving the interests of Sarries, it creates a more valuable product. And too they could get Sarries back up whilst keeping relegation, so on that basis it's hard to see it's even much about Sarries

And if Saracens don't win the Championship?

I imagine it'd be like Death taking on Bill & Ted

Lets be realistic. Saracens are an important, successful club who will greatly enhance the Premiership. Of course PRL and the RFU would want them back.

Digby wrote:Sarries and Exeter have both pushed the standard forwards. So yes they make it a better product. Wasps sometimes do, the rest...., well it's been a while

Sarries may only attract a small stadium audience, but the cohesion of their play and the squad they've built does add a lot, it's all very well saying the players would move, but the likelihood is they've move to Glaws, or Irish or Quins and just become part of Project Meh, still it could be worse, they could move to Tigers and become part of Project Just How Is a Club This Big Failing, Christ You Inept Bastards. It's possible I need some snappier project names

The squad they built through entirely legitimate means, of course

Peej wrote:

Digby wrote:Sarries and Exeter have both pushed the standard forwards. So yes they make it a better product. Wasps sometimes do, the rest...., well it's been a while

Sarries may only attract a small stadium audience, but the cohesion of their play and the squad they've built does add a lot, it's all very well saying the players would move, but the likelihood is they've move to Glaws, or Irish or Quins and just become part of Project Meh, still it could be worse, they could move to Tigers and become part of Project Just How Is a Club This Big Failing, Christ You Inept Bastards. It's possible I need some snappier project names

The squad they built through entirely legitimate means, of course

Mostly they did, had it been legal they'd have been shorn 2-3 star players and likely wouldn't have been doubling up in the league and Europe but they'd still have been a top 2 side.

Also they're not the only side to cheat the cap, and I don't mean little technicalities, so if that's going to be a thing they shouldn't be alone in facing censure

They aren't alone in facing censure. Other teams have been fined, but no one cheated to the rampant and cynical extent they did

In relative terms I don't know how it actually pans out, and if they did cheat then like most things the next generation escalates what's gone before, and given previous flouters weren't harshly dealt with a team with means was always going to push the boundaries