Champ P-O final
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Topic: Champ P-O final
Posted By: islander
Subject: Champ P-O final
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2021 at 13:46
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Confirmed: dates - Sun 13 & 20 June locations - Vallis Way 1st leg, StoneX 2nd leg tv - Premier Sports 1st leg, BT 2nd leg Details- https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/news/article/greene-king-ipa-championship-final-confirmed" rel="nofollow - https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/news/article/greene-king-ipa-championship-final-confirmed
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Replies:
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2021 at 14:17
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4.30 kick off at the Ealing Trailfinders home leg
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2021 at 16:17
| Tickets for the Ealing leg selling very fast - I happened to be out when the e-mail came, and by the time I got back to my computer I'd say that about 75% of seats were gone. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 08:20
| Shame there is no online version, where i would’ve bought both games. I can watch BT Sport in my phone but won’t get PremierSport for 1 match. |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 08:27
Closer to 90% now - get in quick! ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
gerg_861 wrote:Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 10:53
| How come Sarries get second leg home advantage when they finished second? |
Posted By: OLDALIKADOO10
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 10:55
| Ealing wanted the first leg and home and Saracens the second leg at home. |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 10:56
Why?
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Posted By: OLDALIKADOO10
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 11:01
| The logic is that for Ealing to have the best chance over 2 legs is to get ahead of Saracens in the first leg hence why the home 1st leg. You don’t want to be chasing Saracens. |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 12:41
Not sure whether I'll go for it, but the T&Cs for Premier seem to suggest that you can sign up for £10.99 (similar price to this season's streamings) per month and cancel once you've watched the game as long as you do so 5 days before your next monthly payment is due to go out. Whether it's as straightforward as that in practice, I don't know...
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2021 at 18:06
From experience it is a lot easier to sign up than cancel. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Paul 13
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2021 at 19:57
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I use Prem Sports on a monthly basis and haven't had a problem picking and choosing months of Pro14 which I can put up with or not.
Quality of the coverage is way below that of regular rugby broadcasters.
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Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 13:21
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Officials announced: Referee: Wayne Barnes Assistant referees: Paul Dix & Jamie Leahy TMO: Stuart Terheege Good to see that we get the 'A' team as it were.
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Posted By: Monkey Magic
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 18:57
Jamie Leahy- the Stuart Atwell of Rugby Union. I didn't realise he was allowed to officiate beyond the Yorkshire boundary
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Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 19:14
| Note to Ealing fans: Jamie George hates being called Prince Jamie according to his interview on rugby union weekly. |
Posted By: Jerorky
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 20:42
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If that's meant to incite cricket/soccer style orangesging- retract it. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 21:59
I honestly don't know what you mean due to the fruit filter. But if you are suggesting that a British and Irish Lion, should be concerned about a bit of ribbing, I guess you'll have to cross me off your Christmas card list. The way that the Saracens try to bully referees, clap, holler and act out, the crowd needs to do all that it can to balance the scales (leaving out any cloudberry/discriminatory abuse, which is of course abhorrent).
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2021 at 07:38
| I haven't listened to it yet, but the RU Weekly podcast referred to is at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09kvl35" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09kvl35 |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2021 at 10:28
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I doubt whether anyone on Sarries or Ealings squads will be bothered by any crowd banter at VW there are usually enough proper rugby supporters who regularly attend matches at Ealing to ensure that it stays within reasonable bounds. What the game doesn't need imo is players sledging and winding each other up to try and get someone sent off. Barnes is a great choice in charge and in I hope both sides respect his decisions and we see a couple of cracking competitive matches. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2021 at 16:02
| Nothing wrong with a bit of harmless banter. It's part of watching the game. As long as its not vulgar abuse, I'm all for it. |
Posted By: Jerorky
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 12:56
| Have to disagree. As Martin Luther King said : If we all stick to "an eye foe an eye" we'll all be blind. |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 14:30
Thought that was a Ghandi one
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Posted By: knightandday
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2021 at 14:32
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I lost count of the number of bullying and harassment cases I had to investigate where the defence was ‘it’s only a bit of banter’ ------------- Winning isn't everything, it just makes the beer taste better |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 06:15
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Ben Ward did a 20 minute press conference yesterday, which is available on youtube. Main takeaway for me was that he has been drilling into the team the need to come out of the blocks with passion, and to challenge at the ruck.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DeCwcN4tmv3g&ved=2ahUKEwiwh6aP6Y7xAhVK8OAKHVqOC-wQwqsBegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2HWKu-MYzS1nqEdIIbwCBE" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DeCwcN4tmv3g&ved=2ahUKEwiwh6aP6Y7xAhVK8OAKHVqOC-wQwqsBegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2HWKu-MYzS1nqEdIIbwCBE
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 08:45
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Latest odds: https://www.paddypower.com/rugby-union/rfu-championship/ealing-trailfinders-v-saracens-30598013" rel="nofollow - Ealing Trailfinders v Saracens Betting Odds » Paddy Power™ ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 12:23
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Ealing Trailfinders side to face Saracens: You can see what Ealing is trying to do with this line up, and they are basically going to try to physically batter Saracens, and refuse to be ran through at the gain line. De Wee is 6'5 and Cannon is 6'8; teamed with Uzokwe and Murphy, they are going to have a huge physical presence. I don't know if it will work, but that's a clear decision as they've not used the much more nimble Guy Thompson. In addition, JCR is a good pick on the wing, as he is extremely reliable under a high ball or restart; areas where Ealing has struggled at times, and where Saracens always make hay. Overall, I like this squad, but I would have preferred to see Elliots Millar-Mills packing down in place of Kyle Whyte, but I think that Ward may have went off him due to his impending move to Wasps - an odd choice to leave him off all together. C'mon Ealing!
14. Dean Hammond 13. Max Bodilly 12. Matt Gordon 11. James Cordy-Redden 10. Craig Willis 9. Craig Hampson 1. Will Davis 2. Shaun Malton 3. Kyle Whyte 4. Bobby De Wee 5. James Cannon 6. Kieran Murphy 7. Simon Uzokwe 8 Rayn Smid (Capt) Replacements - 16. Michael van Vuuren 17. James Gibbons 18. Lewis Thiede 19. Simon Linsell 20. Guy Thompson 21. Jordan Burns 22. Luke Daniels 23. Malon Al-Jiboori |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 13:10
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No wonder I couldn’t find much in the way of beef at the butchers this morning - it’s all being kept back for the match on Sunday! This is not a team that plans to be out-muscled. Are Ealing a bit short on pace outside? ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 13:52
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Saracens Men team to play Ealing Trailfinders: 15 Alex Goode 14 Alex Lewington 13 Elliot Daly 12 Nick Tompkins 11 Sean Maitland 10 Owen Farrell © 9 Aled Davies 1 Mako Vunipola 2 Jamie George 3 Vincent Koch 4 Maro Itoje 5 Tim Swinson 6 Michael Rhodes 7 Jackson Wray 8 Billy Vunipola Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft 17 Ralph Adams-Hale 18 Alec Clarey 19 Callum Hunter-Hill 20 Sean Reffell 21 Tom Whiteley 22 Duncan Taylor 23 Rotimi Segun ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 13:53
I do worry about the seeming lack of pace, as I also don't see any flyers like Walker or Kernohan in the side. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 13:58
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I did some analysis (numbers based on Wikipedia and Ultimate rugby in that order of preference) Ealing: Pack weight 896 Caps 0 Saracens: Pack weight 940 Caps 542 (not counting Lions or Barbarians caps) I was really surprised to see how out weighed the Ealing pack was, but most of that is given away Rayn Smid (107kg) vs. Billy Vunipola (130kg) and Shaun Malton (103kg) vs. Jamie George (113kg)
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Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:12
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I don’t think the Smit v Vunipola match up will make a lot of difference at scrum time and I would back Smit in a foot race any time, any distance. The impact of George attacking the Ealing put in could be far more significant.
I’m the same weight as George but, for reasons I don’t understand, he seems to carry it better. Mind you, I was heavier than Vunipola just six months ago so I’m not complaining.
------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:20
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I think Ealing have made a mistake playing at home first. I see why they have, to try and be not out of the tie but that is again a defeatist attitude. They should have backed themselves, made a statement by going away and then have a crowd roaring them on in the decisive 2nd leg. Whereas Saracens have the crowd support to give them any extra (if required) they need in the 2nd leg.
In the slim chance it goes to extra time again Saracens will have that advantage. |
Posted By: Donnyknightfan
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:22
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What’s everyone’s predictions then?. I’ll go: Ealing 20 Saracens 37. Would be the biggest shock in the professional era IMO if Sarries didn’t win this over two legs. I’d love Ealing to create a massive upset and win on Sunday but I can’t see it. ------------- Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:27
Get your money on Ealing! Saracens are currently -21 to win at 10/11. As an inveterate romantic optimist, I’m going Ealing by 7 points first leg. Not awfully optimistic or romantic after that though.
------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:35
| I hate to do it...but I am going to predict Saracens 34 - Ealing 24. It is supposed to be 30+ degrees on Sunday, so I can't see cricket scores. |
Posted By: Bedfordian
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 14:56
| Saracens will double the score of Ealing over two legs. Will not be close. |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 17:23
Does anyone have a rough idea of the likely split of H/A support at VW tomorrow? I would have guessed something around 50:50…
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Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 17:53
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Closer 90/10 if that. As far as I know all tickets were sold to members and season ticket holders. There will be team guests I expect. Probably a similar split for the second leg. ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 19:31
90/10 sounds ideal imo. Away supporters contribute hugely to play off matches and in my experience support well above their numbers. Jersey have never made a play off but where I've been satisfied that I've not robbed a proper supporter of a ticket I've been to a few key matches over the years. I was at Donny a few years ago for the playoff against Briz (I still have the Donny shirt) when they played Briz at CP and it was one of the best supported games I've every been to - both sets of fans were magnificent - I didn't go to the game at Bris which was mobbed and probably better. I was also at ETF's opening fixture against Irish a year or so back when Irish supporters flooded the place. Howay Ealing supporters make some noise this time and support your team. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: Guinness John
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 20:55
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It really doesn't matter by how many, all Sarries need is to win by a point over 2 legs. If that doesn't happen then I for one will rate it as the biggest turn up in modern rugby. It doesn't need to be a cricket score.
------------- Bedford Blues Supporter of the Year 2010 - 2011 |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2021 at 23:12
| Saracens by 30 in the first leg |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2021 at 13:22
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Congratulation to Sir Michael Gooley. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Count Ford
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2021 at 13:26
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It would be truly astonishing if Saracens didn't win. Look at the team they are putting out.
I feel sorry for Ealing who are facing a side who under normal conditions would be more than likely comfortably in the top 4 of the premiership. Not to rehash old ground...but saracens being stripped of all their titles and banned from Europe for a few years would have done far more for the integrity of the championship |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 06:10
Hey Doncaster, Ealing's owner is an actual knight now. Consider the gauntlet dropped.
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Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 07:48
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 14:56
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/57455646" rel="nofollow - Championship play-off final LIVE: Ealing Trailfinders v Saracens commentary & score - Live - BBC Sport
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 16:05
| Half an hour to kick off. Morr Sarries fans here than expected. Maybe 30%? Weather gorgeous. Sunny, very low breeze, maybe 28c. A bit of cloud coming in from the west, but doesnt look like rain. |
Posted By: Scrumtime
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 16:55
Do Ealing have a 6 and 7 on the field 23 minutes gone and they have been nowhere
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Posted By: The Perfect Ten
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 16:57
| Surprise, surprise! Game over! |
Posted By: paddym
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:00
Not sure anyone will be surprised. Ealing nowhere near Sarries level.
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Posted By: Bedfordian
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:14
| Perhaps I should amend my prediction |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:22
Give it another go you f l o s s e r
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:23
| Ealing 0 - Saracens 27 (3T) HT Ealing have had, and squandered a few good chances. Overall they are getting murdered in the scrum. When Ealing have challenged the line out they have been fine, but when they sit back, Sarries draw a penalty every time. If Ealing cant fix the scrum, then they will lose by 70. |
Posted By: Scrumtime
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:25
I find it interesting Yes Saracens are very good But 1/3 of Ealing players have gone missing The 4 6 7 9 and 13 Great against part time oppo and great flat track bullies But totally gone missing in this game! And that’s why they are no longer with Prem clubs Get Guy Thompson on at 7 and change 9 In my opinion |
Posted By: Bedfordian
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 17:34
| I had said Saracens would double Ealing’s score, but they’d settle for that at the moment, haven’t turned up which is disappointing at home |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 18:12
| Wasn't able to follow first half due to travel; now it's 0-48, 10 mins left |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 18:23
| Final score 60 -0. Worse than my most pessimistic expectation. I can hear the fence being built. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 18:25
I meant a half!
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Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 18:42
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Having watched a similar Sarries side brush aside Cov's kitchen sink the other week, in my mind this was going to be around a 40 point defeat for Ealing.
Wow. Flossers... ------------- Our Club |
Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 18:51
"...And it will be a big beautiful fence, and it's going to keep out all the lower clubs!" This is bad indeed. Given Ealing were meant to be the biggest threat to Sarries and if there's an aggregate scoreline of Sarries by over 100, they are just giving the RFU an excuse to pull up the drawbridge.
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 19:00
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We know that Saracens side would be near the top of the premiership table. The real question is how close is Ealing to Worcester - or even Gloucester or Falcons? All of whom suffered hidings from the top teams. Could Ealing hold their own against them. Worcester seems to have decided it is not worth the cost of competing, so have gone for a side that will not be embarrassed. And I think if there is a fence, we will see more of that. The other question is what next for the Championship? ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Cherub
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 19:20
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Camquin makes an excellent point, and if Saracens had not been punished it would have been Leicester relegated to The Championship. And how would they have coped? I feel the playoffs against Ealing would have been a great deal closer. With regards the future of The Championship, well next year is already sorted as the lower leagues fixtures are already announced. The Championship will again feature eleven teams with Saracens going up and London Scottish coming back on board. Hopefully there will be no stupid cup competitions. And beyond that, I would like to see 16 teams playing each other home and away with one team promoted to the Premiership (if they pass the criterias) and two teams relegated. |
Posted By: Exiled_Scots
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 19:35
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I am astounded that any one should be surprised with today’s result. Saracens fielded 5 Lions from the upcoming tour to South Africa and 12 internationalists in total. It was probably more surprising that it was not even more and maybe the weather played it’s part in limiting the damage further. Job done and I would not be surprised if Saracens rested a good number of their Lions players so that the aggregate score does not become truly embarrassing. ------------- Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!! Seven down one to go |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 19:54
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Does anyone think it could be a cunning plan to lull Sarries into a sense of security before hitting them with plan B in the away leg? Excellent radio coverage on BBC by the way. ------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 21:43
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I think one of the most disappointing things would be the 0 scored considering they have been getting 50 ish a game against the other clubs. I thought Ealing would get to double digits. Not that it matters now but Ealing may as well go and try score some tries and should start with Burns next week.
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Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 21:46
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Not surprised we lost or that it was convincing but to get a donut is a bitter pill to swallow. I thought we would improve on the game at the StoneX but a fully loaded Saracens beats pretty much any team in the northern hemisphere. Tonight it feels as if Saracens are a Trojan horse sent by the Premiership to raise the drawbridge when they were inevitably promoted. A playoff against Worcester would have been a mouthwatering contest, a shame that the Championship appears to have been the collateral damage of the Premiership salary cap scandal.
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Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2021 at 23:10
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Not a lot to add about today’s match. Deeply disappointing but not really unexpected. Having spoken with numerous Ealing supporters, plus a number of Saracens fans, I have but one request. If, as seems inevitable, Ealing are to lose this playoff, please let it happen proudly in green and white, not in that dreadful tangerine outfit that passes for an ‘away’ kit. It has its place and that is away against Nottingham, full stop! ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Bedfordian
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 09:57
Its been there for years and years, just gets slightly higher each season. It also explains why the National Leagues are full of teams that have spent big and failed and now have a more pragmatic viewpoint. Until there's a "re-organisation" or a Prem team go bust, it will be what it is and always has been. I suppose its about being in the right place (first in the queue) if the re-organisation ever takes place and thats what Ealing are hoping for. Exeter did it by building up a fund, growing home grown players (in the main), kept them together to take on the Prem with a few quality players added in. Cannot buy your way in as the Prem squads are huge and hoover up all the decent players.
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Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 13:03
| A sad result for anyone who supports rugby with integrity. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 13:33
I have no doubt that Ealing could hold their own against a low end premiership team, but you wouldn't be able to tell that based on yesterday's match. In retrospect, I really which they'd kicked at a goal a few times to get rid of the goose egg, and to get possession back afterward.
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 15:15
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The pressure is off now gerg - the boys can go out there next week and play their game. You will come away with some points on the board. Question is: doesn't Sarries have to prove that they have operated with the salary cap for two seasons? And have they? ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 16:19
My understanding is that the ‘exemplary’ punishment of -105 points has reset the clock, so to speak. They can more or less spend what they want this season but must comply once promoted. ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 16:28
| How on earth does that make ANY sense? Salary cap in the Prem but allowed to spend as much as you like in the Championship to get back up |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 16:42
In two words: it doesn’t. ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: isleonian
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 18:10
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2nd leg: Sarries 5 - Trailfinders 70 |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 18:26
If Sarries internationals all get Covid and they have to play their academy
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2021 at 22:12
Doubtful even then ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 07:57
That was a rumour that circulated last year when they were relegated but which was subsequently proved to be a hoax.
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 08:03
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Thank you Mark ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Rucking Idiot
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 08:39
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One question, could this playoff be challenged in court? In the most recent of promotions from the championship, why did the top 2 not have to playoff; Previously it was the champions v bottom of premiership... ------------- If it looks like a duck & quacks like a duck it's just my rucking luck! |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 09:29
Challenged on what basis? The clubs all signed up to it, so unless there's proof that at least six of the eleven sides agreed under duress then I don't see any problem.
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Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 11:32
I don't recall there ever being a play-off with a Prem team taking on one from Champ... They do have such a game in France, which this year was a local derby between Biarritz (lost ProD2 P-O final to Perpignan, who went up automatically) and Bayonne (13th in Top 14). It was 3-3 after 80 mins, 6-6 AET & Biarritz won a kicking comp 6-5, with the final successful kick being landed by 35-y-o Steffon Armitage (who I didn't realise was still playing!). So there!
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Posted By: Rob C
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 11:55
https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2018/09/25/match-preview-coventry-rugby-v-london-irish-four-days-and-counting/" rel="nofollow - https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2018/09/25/match-preview-coventry-rugby-v-london-irish-four-days-and-counting/
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Posted By: Stalwart
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 12:22
Brilliant - so proper jeopardy and excitement right to the last kick. What a great system - would no doubt attract big crowds and big TV audiences. What a difference to the ring fenced bore-fest the RFU and PRL want to introduce.
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Posted By: RedPete
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 12:30
I didn't realise Steffon was still playing either! I thought most recently the top 4 of the Championship played off (as in the premiership, albeit the final being played home and away rather than at HQ) with the winner replacing the bottom team in the Premiership (or am I going bonkers)? ------------- Compassion for the conned, contempt for the conmen. |
Posted By: knightandday
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 12:35
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Roth and Bedford (who were top tier at the time) played off in 1999 and 2000. Seen by some as a ploy to keep Roth out. Didn’t work in 2000 ------------- Winning isn't everything, it just makes the beer taste better |
Posted By: Welshie7
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 12:41
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Cov vs Irish match was 96/97 Championship started 2009/10 Initially top 8 in promotion play off (2 groups of 4 then one leg semi-final then two leg final) Then became top 8 but two leg semi final and two leg final. Then top 4 and two leg semi-final and two leg final) Then was first last the post Now top 2 play off RFU love a changed system to help the Premiership club to bounce straight back up  |
Posted By: chas
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 12:45
In 1998-99, when Bedford were in the Allied Dunbar Premiership One, they
were involved in a 2 leg Premiership Play-Off against Rotherham, and were victorious. The
following season 1999-2000 the same teams were involved in the Play-Off and Bedford lost, and were demoted to National One, later to become the Championship, where they have been since.
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Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 15:27
Not so much a hoax more a misunderstanding based on a document not being updated.
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 16:01
| Surely the most equitable solution is to revert to a play off between bottom of Prem and top of Champs. Gives the Prem team one last chance to retain their status yet leaves the door open for promotion from the Championship if the top team can prove themselves good enough. Granted 9 out of 10 times the Prem team would probably prevail but at least the game would still be able to demonstrate that the path to the very top level is not closed |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 17:10
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The two home semi-finalists Exeter and Bristol were promoted in 2010 and 2018. Aside from them, Worcester, Irish and Falcons have been bouncing up and down. Welsh, Rotherham and Leeds struggled and ran out of money - but they are not the only story. So I do not see any reason no to keep simple promotion. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 18:31
The Premiership down is in chaos when will the relevant make any final decisions :-
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 19:30
 ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: paddym
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 20:51
Do the RFU really care about the community game?
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Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 21:09
You can tell this is endemic throughout the organisation. Clubs started getting cushy stadiums around this time and wanted to keep out the riff-raff with traditional rugby grounds.
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 21:29
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Certainly the finance department know the money is in the international game and the Premiership. They can probably make more getting someone to be official suppository to the England team than to sponsor the Championship or National league. And finance controls the RFU as it controls most businesses. Oddly it is probably much easier to find a sponsor for a county league than for the Championship - as the budget required is less, and it is covered in the local press. But the RFU professionals also know the council members do not like the semi-pro clubs as we "steal" their best players and clubs with sugar daddies "steal" their promotion chances by "buying" promotion. So they want fully amateur rugby. So the only voice for the semi-pro game are Steve Lloyd and John Inverdale. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2021 at 15:51
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Ealing Trailfinders team to face Saracens away - Yes, there is still a fixture on Sunday, and as Ben Ward said in the pre-match interview, this is about putting some pride back in the shirt. A raft of (mostly good) changes, as Ealing goes with a faster line up this time around. Especially happy to see Elliot Millar-Mills line up for Ealing one last time before he departs for Wasps. He 100% should have been packing down last weekend, and putting in Guy to start is also the right choice. I'm going to make a wild prediction, and assume that Ealing doesn't get goose egged. 1 Kyle Whyte 2 Shaun Malton 3 Elliot Millar Mills 4 Bobby De Wee 5 Harry Casson 6 Malon Al-Jiboori 7 Guy Thompson 8 Rayn Smid 9 Craig Hampson 10 Craig Willis 11 Angus Kernohan 12 Pat Howard 13 Max Bodilly 14 Luke Daniels 15 David Johnston Replacements 16 Michael Van Vuuren 17 James Gibbons 18 Lewis Thiede 19 Simon Linsell 20 Simon Uzokwe 21 Jordan Burns 22 Bill Johnston 23 Harry Dugmore |
Posted By: isleonian
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2021 at 17:47
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Prediction: Sarries 12 - 73 Ealing
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Posted By: Rucking Idiot
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2021 at 07:50
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Isleonian, If only we could find the Genie's lamp.... ------------- If it looks like a duck & quacks like a duck it's just my rucking luck! |
Posted By: corporalcarrot
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2021 at 08:54
Greene King Championship final – second leg
------------- Dont kick it. Pick it up and GO FORWARD. |