Northampton Saints
Saints v Ealing Prem Cup - Teams Up
By Saint Ted
February 28 2025
This is the Northampton Saints v Ealing Trailfinders macth thread
Who: Northampton Saints v Ealing Trailfinders
Where: Franklins Gardens
When: Saturday 1st March 2025; 15:00
How do I watch: Go to the ground it aint on TV, there are loads of tickets available
Tickets: From T'offy
Match day info: Guide to the Gardens
Saints take: Saints O'ffy
Ealings Take: Ealing O'ffy
Officials:
Referee: Sara Cox
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum and Mike Woods
No. 4: Gareth Holsgrove
Teams:
| Northampton Saints | Ealing Trailfinders | |
| George Hendy | 15 | Tobi Wilson |
| James Ramm | 14 | Angus Kernohan |
| Tom Litchfield | 13 | Reuben Bird-Tulloch |
| Charlie Savala | 12 | Francis Moore |
| Tom Seabrook | 11 | Tom Collins |
| Rory Hutchinson | 10 | Dan Jones |
| Tom James | 9 | Craig Hampson |
| Emmanuel Iyogun | 1 | Lefty Zigiriadis |
| Craig Wright | 2 | Mike Willemse (c) |
| Luke Green | 3 | George Davis |
| Chunya Munga | 4 | Bobby De Wee |
| Tom Lockett | 5 | Sean Lonsdale |
| Angus Scott-Young (c) | 6 | Rob Farrar |
| Fyn Brown | 7 | Jordy Reid |
| Iakopo Mapu | 8 | David Bridge |
| Replacements: | ||
| Nathan Langdon | 16 | Matt Cornish |
| Tom West | 17 | Kyle Whyte |
| Elliot Millar Mills | 18 | Biyi Alo |
| Ed Prowse | 19 | Danny Cutmore |
| Juarno Augustus | 20 | Ollie Newman |
| Jake Garside | 21 | Lloyd Williams |
| Burger Odendaal | 22 | George Worboys |
| Will Glister | 23 | Michael Dykes |
Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, Callum Hunter-Hill, George Makepeace-Cubitt, Archie McParland, Toby Thame, Robbie Smith and Jonny Weimann.
International duty:
Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith (all England), Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and Ollie Scola (both England U20s).
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StumbleuponSaints v Ealing Prem Cup - Teams Up
Discussion started by Marching On , 28/02/2025 11:58
Marching On
28/02/2025 11:58
28/02/2025 11:58
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:07:07:22:31 by Saint Ted.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:07:07:22:31 by Saint Ted.
Makepeace-Cubitt being injured has slightly forced our hand in the backs.
But it's a braver team than I would have gone with. We've completely rested: (1) Haffar (though that might be tactical with him 3rd choice for this), (2) C.Langdon, (3) Davison, (4) Mayanavanua, (5) Kemeny, and (6) Pearson.
That's a hefty chunk of pack missing, which in my head would have guaranteed the win. Now we should still win, but it doesn't feel like a banker any more.
But it's a braver team than I would have gone with. We've completely rested: (1) Haffar (though that might be tactical with him 3rd choice for this), (2) C.Langdon, (3) Davison, (4) Mayanavanua, (5) Kemeny, and (6) Pearson.
That's a hefty chunk of pack missing, which in my head would have guaranteed the win. Now we should still win, but it doesn't feel like a banker any more.
Saints 53 Tom Collins Team 24
Ooops wrong post
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:28:13:38:37 by Dave Jackson.
Ooops wrong post
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:28:13:38:37 by Dave Jackson.
I think it's interesting that Hutch has been picked at 10 and Savala at 12. Obviously, the club feel that Savala is more suited to the centres than at 10, where he started.
I think Savala is a better Centre than 10.
Great to see Burger on the bench
Great to see Burger on the bench
Despite the absentees I’d hope that side will be too strong at home for Ealing. Pleasing in a way that the likes of Pearson & Kemeny etc get a break and the wider squad who wouldn’t expect to make a match day 23 in the Premiership get to retain their places. It has to be good for the club for these lads to get both the gametime and the recognition.
Expecting tom collins to get the welcome he deserves after his time at saints.
Odendaal on the bench, rather than starting? It’s almost like the coaches are purposefully ignoring the wisdom freely available on this message board. Shocking, nay, shameful*
As the only Prem team playing a Championship side, I hope this is strong enough to do the job. Silverware is silverware.
As the only Prem team playing a Championship side, I hope this is strong enough to do the job. Silverware is silverware.
Quote:higgy365
Odendaal on the bench, rather than starting? It’s almost like the coaches are purposefully ignoring the wisdom freely available on this message board. Shocking, nay, shameful*
As the only Prem team playing a Championship side, I hope this is strong enough to do the job. Silverware is silverware.
Errr excuse me, I said if he fit he should be on the bench!
Ok, I may got told i was incorrect :p
Totally asleep for the first 5 minutes 2 tries down.
Good follow up to take back two tries but Ealing looking quite good
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:15:13:54 by JohnI.
Good follow up to take back two tries but Ealing looking quite good
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:15:13:54 by JohnI.
Having had an interesting first season under Lee Radford, I do wonder if we are still making progress in the area of defence?
Looks like Saints have blown it judging by the live score I can see. 19-43. Looks like we have a very generous defence again.
Congrats Ealing. You wanted this much more, very very poor Saints regardless the line up. No energy, poor control. Not good.
It’s looked as if this team have not played together at all, just no fluency at all in their game and getting turned over far too easily.
Chapeau Ealing.
Fair result.
Shame TC fell short of the hat trick.
Saints might want to ask where the heck the direction was? Where the defence was? Where te attitude was?
Fair result.
Shame TC fell short of the hat trick.
Saints might want to ask where the heck the direction was? Where the defence was? Where te attitude was?
Under estimate the underdog at you peril. Ealing are obviously a very good side but you would expect a top line professional outfit to be on top of their psychology.
Ealing looked good but saints were awful. As good as they were i expext exeter to beat them quite well next week. As for saints that better be a wake up call.
Congratulations Ealing. Well played.
As for Saints, what a difference a season makes…
As for Saints, what a difference a season makes…
Quote:Saint Maul
Congratulations Ealing. Well played.
As for Saints, what a difference a season makes…
I suppose we will see during the rest of the season. I've never known Saints to be without so many players for such big parts of a season.
That was definitely embarrassing because the saints players who were on that pitch are contenders for first 23 team selection and on that performance very few would get selected. Lots of individuals getting caught by themselves with no support cover and the number of turnovers by Ealing must have been high.
Second best to Ealing in all facets of the game today (especially the breakdown, I thought).
Add to that a mostly flat crowd in the half-empty stadium (learn from this with your ticket prices, Saints!), exacerbated by conceding two tries in the first four minutes.
Very poor all round.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:17:50:36 by Matthew.
Add to that a mostly flat crowd in the half-empty stadium (learn from this with your ticket prices, Saints!), exacerbated by conceding two tries in the first four minutes.
Very poor all round.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:17:50:36 by Matthew.
I’m a little confused so perhaps someone could put me right.
At 1500 this afternoon the Saints had the chance of a home semi-final next weekend though obviously this depended on the game at Sandy Park. Looking even further ahead, even a home final was a possibility, in theory at least. We were playing a good Championship team but one nonetheless that a Saints second string outfit, are we not English Champions, should be able to beat especially with the likes of Iyoguni, Hutchinson, James and Hendy in the mix. What I saw was a woefulperformance from the first minute from a disorganised set of players who seemed to have neither the attitude nor the ability to overcome a spirited Trailfinders team. With no disrespect to Ealing, who thoroughly deserved their victory, this should not be the case. Giant killers come and go; if we had lost a close game by the odd point, well it’s one of those things. This performance was abject.
Two clear weekends now to get players fit in body and soul hoping against hope that our International absentees come through the Six Nations unscathed.
Disappointed !
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:18:29:35 by NGSB.
At 1500 this afternoon the Saints had the chance of a home semi-final next weekend though obviously this depended on the game at Sandy Park. Looking even further ahead, even a home final was a possibility, in theory at least. We were playing a good Championship team but one nonetheless that a Saints second string outfit, are we not English Champions, should be able to beat especially with the likes of Iyoguni, Hutchinson, James and Hendy in the mix. What I saw was a woefulperformance from the first minute from a disorganised set of players who seemed to have neither the attitude nor the ability to overcome a spirited Trailfinders team. With no disrespect to Ealing, who thoroughly deserved their victory, this should not be the case. Giant killers come and go; if we had lost a close game by the odd point, well it’s one of those things. This performance was abject.
Two clear weekends now to get players fit in body and soul hoping against hope that our International absentees come through the Six Nations unscathed.
Disappointed !
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:18:29:35 by NGSB.
Quote:NGSB
I’m a little confused so perhaps someone could put me right.
At 1500 this afternoon the Saints had the chance of a home semi-final next weekend though obviously this depended on the game at Sandy Park. Looking even further ahead, even a home final was a possibility, in theory at least. We were playing a good Championship team but one nonetheless that a Saints second string outfit should be able to beat especially with the likes of Iyoguni, Hutchinson, James and Hendy in the mix. What I saw was a woefulperformance from the first minute from a disorganised set of players who seemed to have neither the attitude nor the ability to overcome a spirited Trailfinders team. With no disrespect to Ealing, who thoroughly deserved their victory, this should not be the case. Giant killers come and go; if we had lost a close game by the odd point, well it’s one of those things. This performance was abject.
Two clear weekends now to get players fit in body and soul hoping against hope that our International absentees come through the Six Nations unscathed.
Disappointed !
You forgot to mention the share of £500k prize money
Plus the chance of additional gate revenue
Dreadful from some many perspectives. Not least we paid good money watch that abject performance, and would have been happy to pay more for the next two rounds ( possibly) had the team turned up today. I don’t like to whinge , but that was carp all round.
Quote:Sans Culottes
Dreadful from some many perspectives. Not least we paid good money watch that abject performance, and would have been happy to pay more for the next two rounds ( possibly) had the team turned up today. I don’t like to whinge , but that was carp all round.
Oh , and Ealing throughly deserved the win.
Dowson says a ‘friendly’ is a possibility before we play Tigers - great, but don’t expect people to pay for it !
Quote:
".............We've got to make sure we learn, we rue the mistakes from today and that we're better next time............"
We have finally delved into the Jim Mallinder post-game lexicon!
For those who may not have noticed, Furbs, Mitch, Fin and Tommy were wandering around the ground.
Quote:NGSB
For those who may not have noticed, Furbs, Mitch, Fin and Tommy were wandering around the ground.
A bit like the 23 players in Saints shirts, then.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:01:20:10:52 by Connorman.
I've not watched the game but I caught Ealings comfortable win against, like yours, a proper Saracens PRC team at the StoneX and they're a good team.
I am not sure arrogance is the right word but there seems a view above that you should be able to chuck together a team of young Saints players, missing most of your XV and even some from the 23 and still beat a team of good professionals who play week in and out with each other?
I think the experience will have been good for your young players and I still prefer your and our approach to those sending fully loaded Prem Xvs into this competition.
I am not sure arrogance is the right word but there seems a view above that you should be able to chuck together a team of young Saints players, missing most of your XV and even some from the 23 and still beat a team of good professionals who play week in and out with each other?
I think the experience will have been good for your young players and I still prefer your and our approach to those sending fully loaded Prem Xvs into this competition.
Perhaps if we still had an A League then our younger and fringe players would have rather more experience of playing together rather than simply playing together ? No one at The Gardens could have begrudged Ealing their victory for one second but perhaps we are simply disappointed by the nature of the defeat rather than the defeat itself. We move on
I know we were awful but I think it's time we allowed two of these championship clubs to be promoted to the Premiership.
We now have 2 weeks off and if that follows the normal pattern after a break we will be slaughtered by Leicester. Can only hope that the right team and one that wants to win turns up on the Friday night.
Quote:Saint dolph
Ealing looked good but saints were awful. As good as they were i expext exeter to beat them quite well next week. As for saints that better be a wake up call.
They've thrashed yourselves (away), Sarries (away), and beaten Bath (away) in pre-season. What makes you think Exeter of all teams will beat them 'comfortably'?
[quote lineoutball][quote Saint dolph]Ealing looked good but saints were awful. As good as they were i expext exeter to beat them quite well next week. As for saints that better be a wake up call.[/quote]
They've thrashed yourselves (away), Sarries (away), and beaten Bath (away) in pre-season. What makes you think Exeter of all teams will beat them 'comfortably'?[/quote
Exeter put out there first choice 15 alot in this comp. The other teams you named have not. Exeter only really missing slade and waboso. Here's an example of what our first team was missing . I know it's international/injuries and saints made good use of getting guys experience but Exeter have not done this really hence why I think they will be too strong .
Furbank
Freeman
Dingwall
Sleights
Smith
Mitch
Pollock
Pearson
Kemeny
Temo
Coles
Davison
Langdon
Haffar
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today. Exeter will field a very strong team next week close to their first 15
They've thrashed yourselves (away), Sarries (away), and beaten Bath (away) in pre-season. What makes you think Exeter of all teams will beat them 'comfortably'?[/quote
Exeter put out there first choice 15 alot in this comp. The other teams you named have not. Exeter only really missing slade and waboso. Here's an example of what our first team was missing . I know it's international/injuries and saints made good use of getting guys experience but Exeter have not done this really hence why I think they will be too strong .
Furbank
Freeman
Dingwall
Sleights
Smith
Mitch
Pollock
Pearson
Kemeny
Temo
Coles
Davison
Langdon
Haffar
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today. Exeter will field a very strong team next week close to their first 15
Quote:PaulHerox
I've not watched the game but I caught Ealings comfortable win against, like yours, a proper Saracens PRC team at the StoneX and they're a good team.
I am not sure arrogance is the right word but there seems a view above that you should be able to chuck together a team of young Saints players, missing most of your XV and even some from the 23 and still beat a team of good professionals who play week in and out with each other?
I think the experience will have been good for your young players and I still prefer your and our approach to those sending fully loaded Prem Xvs into this competition.
I make it that 10 of today's 23 played in either a Premiership final or Champions Cup semi final last season. We may still have lost, but really should not have been second best in every area of today's game.
Quote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
Quote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Quote:batty
We now have 2 weeks off and if that follows the normal pattern after a break we will be slaughtered by Leicester. Can only hope that the right team and one that wants to win turns up on the Friday night.
Trying to make yourselves Underdogs already!🤣
It will be interesting to see if Chiefs decision to play pretty much their full XV/23 for the PRC pays off.
In what's been a tough season there seems quite a lot of positivity about their PRC results with little recognition that they're sending their almost full team against 2nd and 3rd Premiership teams and weaker Championship ones.
I guess if they win some silverware it will be worth it but as importantly if they build continuity for the remainder of the Premiership. It still feels a poor use of the PRC but without proper guidelines every team is ofc free to field the team they feel serves them best.
In what's been a tough season there seems quite a lot of positivity about their PRC results with little recognition that they're sending their almost full team against 2nd and 3rd Premiership teams and weaker Championship ones.
I guess if they win some silverware it will be worth it but as importantly if they build continuity for the remainder of the Premiership. It still feels a poor use of the PRC but without proper guidelines every team is ofc free to field the team they feel serves them best.
Quote:NGSB
For those who may not have noticed, Furbs, Mitch, Fin and Tommy were wandering around the ground.
Some of you might have noticed a group of Wuss on Tour, we had a chat with Fin post game, he seems in good form, and why not!
Always enjoy a trip to The Gardens, but you were pretty poor yesterday. Ealing looked very well organised.
Just for interest, any comments on the Red Card incident, we haven’t a clue what occurred.
Edit…now TRP has arrived the Red Card has been understood 😀
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:02:10:45:20 by TeflonTed.
I’ve likened Ealing to an Aldi version of Sale, no big names just a relentless physical bunch and a horrible team to play against if you are not fully organised and motivated.
Quote:With our starting 15, this Ealing team would run us very close or beat us.Saint dolphQuote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Quote:saintcobblerQuote:With our starting 15, this Ealing team would run us very close or beat us.Saint dolphQuote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Could not disagree more if we are talking about our first 15 at home. There's a reason we have only lost once at home in a long time . If it was our first 15 away then they would fancy there chances due to our shocking away form .
I suppose that yesterday's game would have been the last game of the season for some of the players and for those hoping for a contract extension was their last opportunity to impress?
Quote:Chris Hoddle
I suppose that yesterday's game would have been the last game of the season for some of the players and for those hoping for a contract extension was their last opportunity to impress?
So who might fall into that category other than the red card, who was signed as a short term replacement for Sam Graham.
I have no idea about contracts and hence the question mark although Seabrooke is one.
Those that may have ended their season could be
Litchfield Savala, Munga, Mapu, Prowse, Langdon, Garside, Glister
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:02:17:16:02 by Chris Hoddle.
Those that may have ended their season could be
Litchfield Savala, Munga, Mapu, Prowse, Langdon, Garside, Glister
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:02:17:16:02 by Chris Hoddle.
Couple of points:
I can’t imagine that Litchfield will be going anywhere soon - sorry Chris.
I have never understood some of this self righteous posturing about the Premiership Cup being a ‘development competition’. Maybe I am missing something but I have never seen anything written down about teams having to play junior or fringe players : I accept that their is a regulation regarding the semi-final and final requiring earlier participation or so I am told ! Surely it is up to the Clubs how they approach the whole thing depending on their playing resources and likely effect of players not being available due to International obligations. It can be a welcome opportunity to feed injured players back into the mix as we saw with Odendaal yesterday or give someone like Hutch some much needed game time having not been used by Scotland. The simple fact that we have half a dozen players in the England camp allied to a series of long term injuries means that Saints have had to use a largely second string side which ran out of gas and/or motivation yesterday - maybe that performance may give someone indication why we are in eighth place ?
I can’t imagine that Litchfield will be going anywhere soon - sorry Chris.
I have never understood some of this self righteous posturing about the Premiership Cup being a ‘development competition’. Maybe I am missing something but I have never seen anything written down about teams having to play junior or fringe players : I accept that their is a regulation regarding the semi-final and final requiring earlier participation or so I am told ! Surely it is up to the Clubs how they approach the whole thing depending on their playing resources and likely effect of players not being available due to International obligations. It can be a welcome opportunity to feed injured players back into the mix as we saw with Odendaal yesterday or give someone like Hutch some much needed game time having not been used by Scotland. The simple fact that we have half a dozen players in the England camp allied to a series of long term injuries means that Saints have had to use a largely second string side which ran out of gas and/or motivation yesterday - maybe that performance may give someone indication why we are in eighth place ?
I’ll be amazed if that’s the last we see of Munga. He was one of our players of the early part of the season imo.
I wasn’t at the game yesterday, but that was his first game back after a reasonable lengthy injury lay-off. We need him fit and firing for the run in.
I wasn’t at the game yesterday, but that was his first game back after a reasonable lengthy injury lay-off. We need him fit and firing for the run in.
Munga and Litchfield both extended before Christmas
Litchfield on 'multi-year'
Litchfield on 'multi-year'
I think some have miss read my post? I said the end of their season, in that they may not play for the Saints again this season.
NGSB who said that Litchfield was going anywhere? If we have Dingwall, Burger, and Hutchinson available he would be 4th choice.
Garside would be 3/4 choice and may not get in the squad again this season.
NGSB who said that Litchfield was going anywhere? If we have Dingwall, Burger, and Hutchinson available he would be 4th choice.
Garside would be 3/4 choice and may not get in the squad again this season.
Quote:Chris Hoddle
I think some have miss read my post? I said the end of their season, in that they may not play for the Saints again this season.
NGSB who said that Litchfield was going anywhere? If we have Dingwall, Burger, and Hutchinson available he would be 4th choice.
Garside would be 3/4 choice and may not get in the squad again this season.
My Garside comment was made in the belief that McParland is out for the season and Mitchell will be required to rest on at least one week
Just wondering, how many games did burger play for us last season? Please feel free to correct me, but didn't he have injury concerns before signing with Saints? I like the way he plays, and when healthy last season he was good. But he is an older player with injuries....
Quote:Saint Gordo
Just wondering, how many games did burger play for us last season? Please feel free to correct me, but didn't he have injury concerns before signing with Saints? I like the way he plays, and when healthy last season he was good. But he is an older player with injuries....
Same could be said of H-H
Saint Gordo,
Burger played 11 matches last season, 9 as a starter.
Think he was injured first part of that season.
Burger played 11 matches last season, 9 as a starter.
Think he was injured first part of that season.
Maybe Mitch doesn't need a "rest"? I am not sure what the rules say, but I thought I remembered seeing it was a number of games in the year, in which case he missed loads at the start of the season so may just be cleared? Not sure though.
Quote:Chris Hoddle
Maybe Mitch doesn't need a "rest"? I am not sure what the rules say, but I thought I remembered seeing it was a number of games in the year, in which case he missed loads at the start of the season so may just be cleared? Not sure though.
Fair shout, I'd forgotten that
Let’s not forget that there are two empty weekends during the 6N period so the Internationals should be ok to straight back to their clubs, injuries aside. The likes of Dingwall and Coles will be champing at the bit to get some game time.
Championship clubs indicating they will pull out of this competition, feeling they are unequal partners and not properly compensated. Clearly, more to follow....:
[archive.is]
[archive.is]
Premiership needs to expand….end of. Needs to be accessible to a wider audience.
Son we getting a ‘cup’ instead that is two 5 league teams
So basically another league with play offs not a cup at all
Ring fenced it is
So basically another league with play offs not a cup at all
Ring fenced it is
An ‘A league’ Cup then…….Rugby is walking a very fine tightrope at the moment determined, it seems, to hack off as many people as possible.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:03:11:57:16 by NGSB.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:03:11:57:16 by NGSB.
Quote:Of courseFatAlan
Premiership needs to expand….end of. Needs to be accessible to a wider audience.
*But it is set up - fairly entrenched - to NOT expand
We as fans who hope for its future must either get this or just give up and enjoy what we have while we have it
Those that run it want it for themselves - or not at all.
Includes the schools. From their perspective they want to provide generation after generation of rugby players - or it serves little or no purpose to them.
People need to get past 'but they do this or that' or 'married couples are working 60 hours a week each to pay Fred's
That as got nothing to do with the fact that rugby is in the hands of those who firstly WANT the game contracted and secondly are incapable of any vision - if they were to care.
I don't want to revisit the schools debate but everything is joined up.
Rugby is where it is by intention - and that intention has not changed, it's just been dragged into being monetised by tv money, notably the scale of it, and by rest of the world rugby.
Shrinkage is inevitable if it is the chosen path.
*Meant to phrase it as rugby structure not meant to expand. Some selective (new Wasps ec) expansion of Prem is an aim I feel sure it again that selective aim is symptomatic of not caring about structure.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:03:12:25:32 by Scrumpy Half.
Quote:Saint dolphQuote:saintcobblerQuote:With our starting 15, this Ealing team would run us very close or beat us.Saint dolphQuote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Could not disagree more if we are talking about our first 15 at home. There's a reason we have only lost once at home in a long time . If it was our first 15 away then they would fancy there chances due to our shocking away form .
They wouldn't just "fancy their chances", they would 100% beat you guys away from home. They would beat teams higher up than 8th/10, let alone you guys.
And lots of teams in the Premiership don't lose very often at home.
Quote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolphQuote:saintcobblerQuote:With our starting 15, this Ealing team would run us very close or beat us.Saint dolphQuote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Could not disagree more if we are talking about our first 15 at home. There's a reason we have only lost once at home in a long time . If it was our first 15 away then they would fancy there chances due to our shocking away form .
They wouldn't just "fancy their chances", they would 100% beat you guys away from home. They would beat teams higher up than 8th/10, let alone you guys.
And lots of teams in the Premiership don't lose very often at home.
I agree they would pick up wins in the season. There squad pitted against the rest of the prem over a long season is a different thing to picking up these cup wins. They dominated saints and rightfully won but that squad facing prem first choice 15s over a season would be battling falcons with relegation .
I really don’t think it’s worth engaging with this poster: seems childishly aggressive for some odd reason.
So now the second tier Clubs have decided that they are tired of being screwed by both the RFU and PRL and have, understandably in my view, decided to pull out of the domestic Cup competition next season, if reports are to be believed. What we are now going to get is in effect an A League Cup playing the same old Clubs home and away. Now, didn’t the A League used to be, in effect, a freebie within the season ticket with the Anglo-Welsh, Powergen, call it what you will, providing a little interest for those not particularly bothered about the Autumn fund raisers and the 6N ?
So what we have in apparent perpetuity is a ring fenced Premiership which is of course what the ten survivors wanted in the first place - Mark Darbon was on the record for this one. I don’t know about anyone else but I am really finding it difficult to maintain enthusiasm a game I have been watching since before Sgt Pepper ! How can you have a two month hiatus in an already truncated season ?
Now I read that the few Englishmen that go on the Lions tour will have a mandatory ten week (!) break from playing after the trip ends…………
So what we have in apparent perpetuity is a ring fenced Premiership which is of course what the ten survivors wanted in the first place - Mark Darbon was on the record for this one. I don’t know about anyone else but I am really finding it difficult to maintain enthusiasm a game I have been watching since before Sgt Pepper ! How can you have a two month hiatus in an already truncated season ?
Now I read that the few Englishmen that go on the Lions tour will have a mandatory ten week (!) break from playing after the trip ends…………
From an Ealing supporter.
Belated this may be but what a privilege it was to be at the Gardens last week. The whole experience was first class and the supporters I met really do justice to the idea of the perfect rugby fan. Many thanks.
And what a contrast to Sandy Park this week. I will not be going again.
Belated this may be but what a privilege it was to be at the Gardens last week. The whole experience was first class and the supporters I met really do justice to the idea of the perfect rugby fan. Many thanks.
And what a contrast to Sandy Park this week. I will not be going again.
Well done on your deserved victory last week, I think everyone apart from chiefs fans were routing for you yesterday. I wish the powers that be would just let you up into the Premiership.
Quote:Tidy
Well done on your deserved victory last week, I think everyone apart from chiefs fans were routing for you yesterday. I wish the powers that be would just let you up into the Premiership.
Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I believe Ealing did not put in the required application for consideration to be promoted to the Premiership - from memory it was just Coventry and Doncaster that did so ?
I don’t think they make the ground capacity criteria. I seem to remember it is only about 3500 but not sure
According to Wikipedia, Vallis Way holds 5,388.
[en.wikipedia.org]
From our friendly media manager at Newcastle regarding Champions clubs and audits.
Mark: ‘The audit results haven’t been announced yet.’
Me: ‘Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the Championship clubs had to put themselves forward for Audit and I didn’t think Ealing had?’
Mark: ‘there has been no announcement confirming that.’
[www.rugbynetwork.net]
[en.wikipedia.org]
From our friendly media manager at Newcastle regarding Champions clubs and audits.
Mark: ‘The audit results haven’t been announced yet.’
Me: ‘Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the Championship clubs had to put themselves forward for Audit and I didn’t think Ealing had?’
Mark: ‘there has been no announcement confirming that.’
[www.rugbynetwork.net]
Vallis Way does have a capacity of just over 5,000 and I believe that the minimum premiership requirements were for a ground with a capacity of 5,000 rising to 10,000 over the next 4 years with planning permissions in place by the end of January 2025. Completely ludicrous as it takes years to get permission for a park bench in London yet alone additional stadium capacity and all with 3-4 months notice.
So, you are in a ring fenced league of 10 which, if the LI administrator's prediction is correct, may soon be 7 or 8. I hope you enjoy playing the same teams 3 or 4 times a season, 5 or 6 if you count the Cup.
I'm sorry if this comes across as bitter, as I said earlier I really enjoyed my trip to the Gardens, but the RFU and the PRL are sucking the life out of rugby in this country.
So, you are in a ring fenced league of 10 which, if the LI administrator's prediction is correct, may soon be 7 or 8. I hope you enjoy playing the same teams 3 or 4 times a season, 5 or 6 if you count the Cup.
I'm sorry if this comes across as bitter, as I said earlier I really enjoyed my trip to the Gardens, but the RFU and the PRL are sucking the life out of rugby in this country.
It does come across as verging on bitter
However I don’t think you would get pushback from any Saints supporter if it meant you joined the premiership and we get another home game
The league is short of two clubs
If you and another get promoted
Happy days
However I don’t think you would get pushback from any Saints supporter if it meant you joined the premiership and we get another home game
The league is short of two clubs
If you and another get promoted
Happy days
I would be more than happy to see two from Ealing, Coventry or a reborn Worcester being put straight into the Premiership with a 2-3season guarantee of tenure to give them a chance to settle. The current top flight is as dull as ditchwater with no jeopardy allied to two lengthy periods every season when no games are played - look at the lack of input into this board !
I always try to take the viewpoint if I was a supporter of an ambitious Championship club when looking at the wider Rugby picture rather than of the Ring fenced Premiership team.
As such what Marlovian says isn’t sour grapes but the truth!
- The RFU slashed funding for Championship clubs!
- PRL has become a cartel and without the P shares any promoted Championship club stand little chance of staying in the top flight and would probably go bust whilst trying!
- The MSC were always too rigid and even after the slight relaxation the planning permission criteria was always going to be a spanner in the works.
- PRL & the Championship alleged attitude to the PRC is short sighted from both parties!
As such what Marlovian says isn’t sour grapes but the truth!
- The RFU slashed funding for Championship clubs!
- PRL has become a cartel and without the P shares any promoted Championship club stand little chance of staying in the top flight and would probably go bust whilst trying!
- The MSC were always too rigid and even after the slight relaxation the planning permission criteria was always going to be a spanner in the works.
- PRL & the Championship alleged attitude to the PRC is short sighted from both parties!
There's a couple of things I would like to know.
First, if ground capacity is an issue why can't the Brentford stadium bookings vacated by London Irish be taken up by Ealing?
Secondly why are there breaks in the 6N?
First, if ground capacity is an issue why can't the Brentford stadium bookings vacated by London Irish be taken up by Ealing?
Secondly why are there breaks in the 6N?
So Ealing lost to the 9th placed team in the prem? Doesn't that mean they would struggle to beat anyone if they joined the league?*
Quote:Santiago
There's a couple of things I would like to know.
First, if ground capacity is an issue why can't the Brentford stadium bookings vacated by London Irish be taken up by Ealing?
Secondly why are there breaks in the 6N?
If I remember correctly Irish had a bum deal financially at Brentford. The Covid break didn't help but Irish's attendances never took of as i thought they might. With Ealings meagre league attendances it would be a gamble. Maybe the rich owner would be happy to bankroll games there, if so I would be happy to see them in the Premiership. We badly need them and Coventry, not sure Bedford are interested in promotion.
Quote:Toulousian Firefighter
So Ealing lost to the 9th placed team in the prem? Doesn't that mean they would struggle to beat anyone if they joined the league?*
They would be playing 1st choice teams on a regular basis, much harder than prem cup games.
Newcastle struggle to get a win in the prem, but can win in the prem cup
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:15:14:18:36 by SaintsAsh.
Quote:Saint dolphQuote:lineoutballQuote:Saint dolph
This team with hutch or odendaal joining to fill the 13 spot I've missed above would not of lost today.
Aren't you guys 8th in the Premiership? ...out of 10. Ealing probably at least at that level.
When we have put out close to our first team at home we have lost once in the last year . If you think that ealing team beats us at home with our gun 15 out your mad. We are 8 and deserve to be there as we can't win away. We are the French of old .
Oops.
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