'I don't think Saracens' relegation changes the dynamics... it's about Quins moving up the league'
When it comes to rugby cakewalks, there seems to be nothing easier than the relegated side from the English Premiership bouncing straight back up. The numbers are stark. In the last four and a half seasons, the relegated clubs have suffered just six defeats in 103 Championship outings.
Bristol and London Irish have twice laid waste to the second tier, the former winning 45 from 48 and the latter 43 from 46 in their respective promotion processions.
With Newcastle now already nine wins from nine in their hiatus year away from the Premiership limelight, you can bet your house – or at least one of those that Nigel Wray co-invested with his stars that got him in salary cap trouble – that Saracens will likely go 22 wins from 22 when they have their turn slumming it down in the nether regions.
Brett Herron will be hoping it somehow won’t be all so easy-peasy. He faces Saracens this Sunday from the Harlequins bench as their demoted London rivals begin a 14-game farewell to the Premiership. But he knows from recent experience what it means to one of the unfancied second-tier clubs to cause a rare upset.
It was nearly 15 months ago – November 2018 – when London Irish arrived on Jersey for what they presumed would be a comfortable island pitstop on their return to the Prem, but it didn’t turn out that way.
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Andy Goode and Brendan Venter get into a heated debate on The Rugby Pod over Saracens salary scandal
“That was a (happy) memory that is hard to forget,” enthused Herron to RugbyPass, reflecting on the 17-14 ambush that was a rare one in the eye for big-hitters on the Discover England circuit that exists in the shadows compared to the Premiership’s ticker-tape high profile. “It was in the 82nd, 83rd minute that we scored the try that got us the victory. It was a massive high for us.
“They [Saracens] will have certain challenges they need to face,” he added, referencing the contrasting differences that exist between grounds and infrastructure in the Championship compared to the Premiership.
Herron’s Jersey, ultimately, were never a serious threat to London Irish’s promotion, but the adventure was the leg-up the out-half needed to accelerate his own career. Having had his development plagued by injury at Bath, the 24-year-old had an unfulfilled two-year detour at Ulster before island life came calling.
“It was maybe just the wrong time for me to be there,” he conceded, reflecting on a stint in Belfast that coincided with the bottom falling out Les Kiss era around the same time the brand-damaging Paddy Jackson/Stuart Olding saga was unfolding.
“I wanted to experience a different league and a different set-up just purely because of the injuries (at Bath). I just needed a fresh start and Ulster were kind enough to allow me that opportunity.”
There were just eight appearances in 24 months, none as a starter, so the need to take a step back to go forward became imperative. One soaraway Championship season became enough to convince Quins boss Paul Gustard to offer a two-year deal and a gateway back into the big time.
“My year at Jersey was an absolutely great move. Development-wise it really helped me continue to build my game,” he explained, reflecting on the circuitous route that now had him chosen on the Stoop bench this Sunday for a league derby with so much chatter surrounding it due to Saracens’ salary cap controversy.
A veteran like Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw has no trouble calling out his London rivals – he did so for instance in the company of RugbyPass when Saracens had the cheek not to appear at this season’s European Cup launch in Cardiff.
However, a newbie like Herron is more aware of the need to mind his Ps and Qs heading into what is primed to be a spicy affair given there has often been a level of on-field needle anyway in these derbies.
“It’s not our place to say or my place to say,” he said when quizzed about Saracens’ crisis. “I don’t know much of what has been spoken about or happened beyond closed doors. For us it is just about the London derby and we know regardless of their off-field stuff on the field they are an absolutely quality side.
“It’s about trying to front up and continue the momentum that we built against Clermont and put that onto the pitch and perform against Saracens… I don’t think it [Saracens’ relegation] changes the dynamics for us. For is it is about moving up the league. Regardless of who we face on a weekend, we want to win. We want to keep adding to our points and keep pushing for that top-four spot.”
Herron sure wants to play his part. He has started three Champions Cup pool matches at No10, scoring a belter solo try last weekend against French opposition, but he has yet to get this shirt in the league, his stints off the bench instead coming in the difficult circumstances of his team being well beaten away at Northampton and Sale.
"Hauled Harlequins off the canvas," ?
Great try by Brett Herron displaying the cause for not giving up on a bouncing ball ??????
Despite their efforts @Harlequins suffered a defeat to @ASMOfficiel, but will this spur them on for next week? #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/MJy6T8VkOo
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 19, 2020
“It is (awkward) but at the same time there is nothing holding you back going in and playing the game, trying to turn things around for the team,” he suggested, reflecting on the cards he has been dealt. “It’s about making those positive impacts while on, trying to get the tries, trying to get the points back in our favour.
“It’s just about being patient and when those opportunities come, try and make the most of them,” he said, explaining what attracted him to the club. “Having two young 10s, me and Marcus (Smith), there together was something that appealed to me because we could bounce off each other.
“There was the fact that Nick Evans was going to be part of the attack and someone you can mine their knowledge and experience, and a big part of it was the location because it is where my family and a lot of my friends are. It was finding the best mix off and on the field so that I’m going to be happy and won’t be too isolated.
Grudge match! https://t.co/snVwdwnp8d
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 24, 2020
“The areas I’m trying to build on is the management side of things, putting us in the right area as well as just recognising when it is on for us as backs, to step up and play with ball in hand… that is the thing I’m continuously trying to improve, as well as keeping up and making my first-up hits.
“I watch a spectrum of out-halves and the main two would be (Jonny) Wilkinson and Dan Carter. I still watch the videos of them in games to this day leading into games.
“Other players I watched a lot of were people like Matt Giteau, Finn Russell, Owen Farrell, George Ford, (Danny) Cipriani, Beauden Barrett, some of the best 10s in the world who inspire you. You see how they handle certain situations in games and you put yourself in those situations. Studying film of them really helps you implement certain aspects into your own game.”
? Who will be the key men on Sunday?
? Full story: https://t.co/nzOHnVlwbu#COYQ #BringTheNoise pic.twitter.com/3ZmKCT7br6
— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) January 24, 2020
It was in his native South Africa when Herron first took up the sport before work brought the family to England where his dad is from. “I had started played tag rugby back in South Africa. I remember quite vividly it was always bare foot and it was a lot of fun.
“That is where my love for it started to form and when I came over here, it being such a big part of the English way as well, it was something that continued to push me and the more I played the more I fell in love with the game.”
A game grubbily brought into disrepute in recent times by Sunday’s opponents Saracens.
WATCH: RugbyPass travel to South Africa for this episode of Rugby Explorer – Jim Hamilton explores the stunning cities of Cape Town and Porth Elizabeth and meets the local rugby communities
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments