Questions for the RFU

Brian,

I am a Moseley supporter, I grew up playing through all the age groups, from U8s to the colts. I now play in France at a semi-pro level, but in the 4th division!

I can see all the similarities with this Championship proposal with that of Pro D2 in France which is fully professional but supports 16 team, in fact Federal 1, which is the third tier of French rugby supports 6 pools of 8 teams each of which could be considered full time, training 4+ times a week and with impressive stadia.

I understand the wish to be able to provide competitive rugby for talented youngsters like Jack Adams and Dan Norton who on most weekends might just sit on the sidelines and have no gametime.

But for me the financial aspect of this proposal does not add up. How can most teams in the Championship even contemplate challenging for a place in the Premiership with only the possibility of 11 homes games, reducing the clubs income across the boards; sponsorship becomes less prestisious are there is less exposure, yearly ticket sales and bar sales reduced due to less games plus the expectation that players wages are to rise due to them becoming 'professional'.

In France at the end of the season there are further play off games which increase clubs income. But they already play more league games in the regular season.

The main question I really want answering is though is how can you fully implement making the Championship professional? In France if a team can't sustain themselves financially in a professional capacity they are relegated, no exceptions. If this is the case most teams in National 1 would not fulfil the criteria. Plus money does not always buy you success, look at Toulon in Top 14.

The current trends in National League 1 do not indicate that it can support full time rugby. Games do not regularly attract 1000 supporters let alone 5000+ that regularly attend French second tier games.

This is a poorly though out proposal that merely indicates the RFU hierarchy's willingness to ringfence the top teams in England. A much better proposal would be to promote the top 4 fully professional teams in National 1 to the Premiership and then split the Premiership into two pools of 8, with then the top 4 playing the top 4 in the in the other pool home and away and likewise with the bottom 4. This would allow 11 home games a season for the Premiership, plus playoffs and would also allow for a much more competetive National League 1.

I would like you to ask him about clarity and robustness.
The proposed framework for level 2 rugby is so uncertain that it makes forward planning by the clubs nearly impossible. The proposals put forward by RFU seem to be knocked off course almost as soon as they are put out.
How do we overcome this so that level 2 can be planned, promoted and financed in an orderly fashion.
To have so much uncertainty about the season structure is extremely damaging.

Can you ask Mr Thomas to confirm that

A) If a salary cap is imposed on the championship teams, that the relegated premiership team will be subject to the same cap resulting in a fair and competitive league.

B) Why the RFU statement in November contained the following:

'Championship clubs will be guaranteed a minimum of 32 or 34 matches, (depending on which Anglo-Welsh tournament they play in) including 16 home games. Teams reaching the finals of both the Championship play-offs and an Anglo-Welsh tournament will play an additional four/five matches.'

when clearly no agreement had been reached with either the GP or the welsh rfu. Therefore will Mr Thomas agree that the rfu issued a press statement that misled (or lied) clubs on the future landscape of english (and welsh) rugby, and made claims which it had no right to do so (thanks to exiled_scots).

C) How clubs are supposed to budget for next seasons 'professional' Championship when, as of the end of January it is clear a fixture list has not been agreed?

I'd like to ask him if there is a formal agreed and publicised (to the clubs) definition of "professional" as it is going to be applied to any club in the new Championship.

Oh, and also if he seriously believes that a realistic opportunity exists for any of the current ND1 teams (or ambitious others like Cambridge and Ldn Scottish) to break into the GPL 13 (let alone survive there) at any time in the future.

Does he not agree that the plan to reduce Nat 1 to 12 teams next season is unworkable, particularly in the light of changes in PRL's position, and the fact that there will be insufficient guaranteed fixtures to sustain Nat 1 clubs ??

In addition I am bound to ask - does anyone in a decision making capacity, really care about the clubs below the Prem ? In fact if one of the reports in todays National papers is to be believed, they expect to attain a reduced Premiership by one or two of the clubs going to the wall. Is this an accurate report or mis-reported.

Hi folks,
Just a quick explanation about the Martyn Thomas feedback.

I had half an hour with Martyn on Friday night and will be posting his responses to your questions on this blog as soon as possible.

The current delay is down to computer problems and the fact I cannot access our internal server. As soon as I can, I'll start feeding back.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Brian