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Fans' message to Premiership Rugby: Audit all the clubs now, not just Saracens
Despite accepting their £5.36million fine and a 35-point deduction in the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens’ problems do not seem over.
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This comes after The Times newspaper revealed that the reigning English and European champions could be subjected to a mid-season audit by Premiership Rugby.
That audit is something RugbyPass has since learned the club are willing to allow happen, voluntarily open its doors to official scrutiny.
It is expected that Premiership Rugby Ltd, the umbrella organisation for England’s top flight, will be given the chance to ‘view the books’ through their official auditors.
Saracens were punished for failing to disclose player payments over the past three seasons which related to co-investments between players and chairman Nigel Wray.
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The club have now insisted they are complying with salary cap regulations this season, but many fans have reacted by insisting that the rest of the clubs in the Premiership should also be audited in the name of fairness.
And obviously Prem rugby should be required to publish the full decision before requiring ALL clubs to have their books looked at mid season
— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) November 26, 2019
If you want a level open and fair system then ALL clubs need to inspected to the degree of saracens
— Russell Harris (@sarriefan_uk) November 26, 2019
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Quite right too but in the interest of fair play this should be applied to all clubs. If nothing else it will put down a marker.
— Mark Fletcher (@MarkFletch117) November 26, 2019
These are obviously mitigating circumstances, which is why Saracens have been singled out, but regardless of what they have been accused of doing, some feel that it is unfair that they are the only side that are forced to be transparent.
Furthermore, with a number of sides chastising the three-time Champions Cup winners for what they have done, they will surely feel they have nothing to hide.
I can see the logic behind this. But it must cut both ways. For the sake of fairness, all clubs should do the same. More importantly, PRL need to show some backbone and start to enforce some discipline. This is turning into a lynching with mob justice to the fore.
— GavtheSalaryCap (@GavtheSarrie) November 26, 2019
A mid season audit would have to include all clubs surely. That would be grossly unfair on Sarries to single them out
— Tony Walker (@tonywalks_1965) November 26, 2019
Of course, many have been keen to retort that no other club has been punished or even investigated for eight months regarding salary cap breaches.
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It is for that reason why Sarries should be the only team that are forced into this position. That point is valid, but it has not stopped many people demanding the same treatment for all teams across England.
All the premiership teams and players should face a forensic financial audit. Then it will be totally clear who is following the rules of not. Saracens are the only team to have had 9 months of investigative journalism and PRL Inspection, the other clubs have nothing.
— Drew (@d_r_ew) November 26, 2019
I assume that seeing as a 'level playing field' is what you all want so badly that all clubs will face the same? Or is it only level for one.
— ???Steve… (@saracen1971) November 26, 2019
If there's going to be an audit it should be on every club
— colin boag (@colinboag) November 26, 2019
Given their success in England and Europe over recent years and their impressive squad depth, questions had always lingered over the London side.
However, while this salary cap investigation has been an eye-opening ordeal for them, many feel other teams should be scrutinised in the same way.
WATCH: Going Pro, the behind the scenes RugbyPass documentary with the Saracens women’s team
Comments on RugbyPass
Yet, according to Jake White and other twonks who think better, Jenkins shouldn’t be picked by the boks. Daft.
5 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments