English domestic season to include in season break |
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Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
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Posted: 23 October 2018 at 2:21pm |
The next three English domestic
rugby union seasons will include in-season breaks, with players limited
to a maximum of 35 matches per campaign.
The measures, beginning 2019-20, are designed to protect players during a demanding schedule that includes the 2019 World Cup and 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. The domestic season has, however, been extended, with 2019-20 starting on 21 September and ending on 20 June, with a "mandatory five-week post-season rest" period also brought in. More here when it gets updated http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45956402 |
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aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
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It's not at all clear how this will work - there seems no plan for the season itself to take a break (as football does in some cold countries) so I guess it means that individual players will be given breaks. It seems like a recipe for chaos and disagreement, but maybe there is a cunning plan...
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“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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PE SA
Veteran Joined: 22 July 2009 Status: Offline Points: 12515 |
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it would make sense to have a break midway through.
take our squad for example, we could be without up to 15 players - then there's injuries on top. The world cup will start in September, and should Wales do well, it will not end until December. Add in the break for the players that took part and the players wont be back until January. Be interesting to see how it works. Ideal chance to perhaps structure the season! September through to February- Pro 14 league games. (Mid December to January off) March and April- European Cup Group Stages. April,May,June - League & Europe play off finals |
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Fscarlet
Moderator Group Joined: 26 January 2015 Status: Offline Points: 8871 |
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I like that, except having the group stage of the European competitions in one block. I think that if you lose the first 2 matches of your pool, like we have this season (& last),the resumption of your domestic league campaign gives you a chance to sort yourself out.
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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This has put a big dent in the British & Irish Lions future plans. With the English Premiership season finishing 26 June 2021, that leaves 1 week before the first tour game in SA. The South African tour has already been reduced to 8 games instead of 10, in 5 weeks rather than the originally planned 6.
The new Lions CEO doesn't start in the role until 12 November. English rugby has taken the opportunity to lay claim to more weeks of the year for themselves, and it's the Lions tours and squad strength that will lose out.
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aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
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Look after number 1... plus ca change... Perhaps the Lions, if they don't like this, simply choose the squad from the other unions, plus any English exiles worth considering. The English clubs have never been too hot on the Lions, anyway.
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“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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GPR - Rochester
Veteran Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Online Points: 18781 |
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All the Lions need to do is state categorically that if players are not available to travel to South Africa 14 days prior to the 1st game then they will not be considered for the tour - then just leave it to good old player power. They will soon backtrack as most players consider a Lions tour as their ultimate accolade. If not then a combined Ireland/Wales & Scotland 23 would be pretty tasty with frankly only Itoje & Farrell being real misses from the test squad.
15. Hogg 14. North 13. Foxy 12. Henshaw 11. Stockdale 10. Sexton 9. Murray 8. Faletau 7. Cubby 6. Moriarty/Shingler/O'Mahoney 5. Ryan 4. Beirne 3. Furlong 2. Macinally 1. Rob Evans. Bench 16, Cronin 17. Healy/McGrath 18. Samson/Porter 19. Grey/Henderson 20. O'Brien 21. Cawdor 22. Patchell 23. Liam.
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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Any of the 4 rugby nations missing from the Lions will devalue it, both to the host nation (SANZAR unions rely heavily on their 12-yearly windfall) and the 4 Lions partner unions, but especially SRU, IRFU and WRU.
We're now into what will be a protracted war for players' time and loyalty - English rugby has acted to deal with player welfare issues, but not at the expense of their own product (and why should they?). However, one of the Crown Jewels of world rugby could end up be squeezed out of meaningful existence as a result. Until the global season is addressed in a global way, the turf wars will intensify.
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KID A
Moderator Group Joined: 16 August 2004 Location: Cardiff Status: Offline Points: 27572 |
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Sorry, but why is this English rugby's fault? Have they broken any agreements?
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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No 'fault' - as I said, why shouldn't they do this? But it has come at a time when the B&I Lions are without a leader, so EPL and the RFU have effectively filled the vacuum presumably without discussion or negotiation with the Lions management or other unions involved.
The Springbok tour schedule has already been set, and the extension of the EPL season will very obviously eat into prep time, with 1 week between the GP Final and the first tour game. Gatland has stated that, to maximise the chances of success, more prep time is needed with the players, not less.
The compromise has been on in-season player welfare, the English solution is to extend their season into a period historically (at least once every 4 years) filled by Lions tours. 3 groups of casualties - Lions fans (here and in SA) who may be deprived of a fully-prepared or representative squad; some England internationals who will be asked to choose between club finals and Lions tour participation; and all the unions involved in the tours, with the commercial value (& chances of maximising 'success' on & off the pitch) being diminished. |
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Wil Chips
Rambler Joined: 23 August 2009 Location: Pembs Status: Online Points: 50975 |
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The global commercial influence of the Lions brand will probably mean some conflict on this call somewhere down the line. Any hint of a diminished squad presence will see some significant media and marketing ‘ interests’’ wade in to the issue. Won’t end well I suspect.
It’s no different to the Lions selected French based players having to make the same choice in 2017 of course , with Leigh’s decision to go meaning his contract wasn’t extended. It’s a call that remains with the employers of course, but with the Lions already agreeing last year to a reduced fixture list for 2021 in an attempt to pacify the RFU, it feels a low blow to take this measure without at least the courtesy of dialogue. |
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