Confirmed Championship start date

islander wrote: Saracens are among those involved in trying to set up a pre-season cup competition, according to the last para of 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

Brilliant idea can Jersey play Donny please?

KnightsBoy wrote: By hook or by crook, Sarries are going up.

No 7 wrote: 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.

corporalcarrot wrote: castleparknight wrote: You want to see the Jersey Exiles playing CC? I have more than a few old mates up there mate but I cant deny the prospect of a decent portion of pie at a KORT pre-match lunch also brings it high up my wish list. If the age stats are right I should be due a vaccine in February so I am hoping '21 is going to be a good year.

Kimbo wrote: castleparknight wrote: corporalcarrot wrote: castleparknight wrote: You want to see the Jersey Exiles playing CC? I have more than a few old mates up there mate but I cant deny the prospect of a decent portion of pie at a KORT pre-match lunch also brings it high up my wish list. If the age stats are right I should be due a vaccine in February so I am hoping '21 is going to be a good year. It is going to be a better year and I would look forward to you attending. Stay Safe and Stay Well. He keeps trying the 'Tommy' reference. Someone'll notice eventually.

I guess you're right mate but although I've no reason to be over-optimistic a Kort pre-match feed of pie at Donny qualifies as an amazing journey in my mind. Have a great Christmas break everyone and stay safe.

Rich wrote: 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)

Hi

Yes maybe they should have considered before re-shaping.

Welshie7 wrote: 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.

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.

Welshie7 wrote: 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....

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.