Rob Baxter says ........

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   Daily Mail 15 May 2019
Scrapping relegation from the Gallagher Premiership would not sit well 'morally' with league leaders Exeter Chiefs, according to their boss Rob Baxter.  The director of rugby guided the Devon club from the Championship to the top-flight title in seven years. The Chiefs won the Premiership for the first time in 2017, and could seal a second crown this June.

So while the RFU and Premiership bosses debate whether to expand the league to 13 teams from the 2020-21 season Baxter has called for the one up, one down system to stay.

Rugby 365 29 December 2022

The most recent round of results over the holiday period saw the top three teams – Saracens, Sale and Harlequins – fall to the bottom three with London Irish, Newcastle and Bristol all upsetting the form-book. Exeter too was almost undone before seeing off Bath on Christmas Eve to leave their southwest rivals bottom of the table.

Relegation won’t return to the English top flight until the 2024/25 season at the earliest – a decision taken long before this term’s financial collapse of Worcester and Wasps saw both clubs expelled from the Premiership as the league was reduced to 11 teams. In the meantime, Baxter believes that, with no fear of the drop, sides are much more prepared to take chances in attack.

“The league is so different without relegation – people probably don’t quite realise that,” Baxter said.

“A perfect example is when we’ve been to Newcastle when they’ve been in the bottom two. It’s very hard to play with the ambition and desire that they play with now because there’s so much hanging on the result.”

He added: “They’re not looking over their shoulder, they’re looking upwards all the time. So now you’re never in a scenario where a team aren’t coming after you. So I think all these competitive results are going to happen more and more often. You’ll see an increasing amount of them.”

Slowly moving to a new position?

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FHLH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 5252	Post Options Post Reply Quote FHLH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Rob Baxter says ........ Posted: 29 Dec 2022 at 18:13
	Daily Mail 15 May 2019 Scrapping relegation from the Gallagher Premiership would not sit well 'morally' with league leaders Exeter Chiefs, according to their boss Rob Baxter. The director of rugby guided the Devon club from the Championship to the top-flight title in seven years. The Chiefs won the Premiership for the first time in 2017, and could seal a second crown this June. So while the RFU and Premiership bosses debate whether to expand the league to 13 teams from the 2020-21 season Baxter has called for the one up, one down system to stay. Rugby 365 29 December 2022 The most recent round of results over the holiday period saw the top three teams – Saracens, Sale and Harlequins – fall to the bottom three with London Irish, Newcastle and Bristol all upsetting the form-book. Exeter too was almost undone before seeing off Bath on Christmas Eve to leave their southwest rivals bottom of the table. Relegation won’t return to the English top flight until the 2024/25 season at the earliest – a decision taken long before this term’s financial collapse of Worcester and Wasps saw both clubs expelled from the Premiership as the league was reduced to 11 teams. In the meantime, Baxter believes that, with no fear of the drop, sides are much more prepared to take chances in attack. “The league is so different without relegation – people probably don’t quite realise that,” Baxter said. “A perfect example is when we’ve been to Newcastle when they’ve been in the bottom two. It’s very hard to play with the ambition and desire that they play with now because there’s so much hanging on the result.” He added: “They’re not looking over their shoulder, they’re looking upwards all the time. So now you’re never in a scenario where a team aren’t coming after you. So I think all these competitive results are going to happen more and more often. You’ll see an increasing amount of them.” Slowly moving to a new position?
	"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."

castleparknight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 2974	Post Options Post Reply Quote castleparknight Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 2022 at 18:29
	The self preservation society
	Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny!

Brizzer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Location: Jersey Status: Offline Points: 3398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brizzer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 2022 at 12:20
	The league will effectively become the rugby equivalent of a kick about in the park. It might be great fun to play in, but ultimately it is meaningless. Who wants to watch a meaningless game? That is what has happened to the Championship since they took the play-offs away, already mentioned in a different thread. The crowds continue to dwindle because there is nothing to play for. When will the RFU and powers that be understand that we need a meaningful league structure with opportunities to succeed and fail for all. If relegation will harm the ‘big’ clubs finances so much, they should manage them better.
	Tackle Low!!!!!

Mark W-J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Coaching staff Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3647	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark W-J Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 2022 at 12:53
	Rob Baxter doesn't actually say that he likes the lack of relegation,. He's just observing that the lack of fear is encouraging the teams at the bottom of the table to come out of their shells and express themselves, which wad always one of the proposed benefits put forward by supporters of ring-fencing.

Raider999 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Location: Crawley Status: Offline Points: 4432	Post Options Post Reply Quote Raider999 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 2023 at 18:04
	More likely to mean sides play weakened teams away especially wheen thet expect to be beaten.
	RAID ON