The RugbyPass Premiership - potential - end of 2019/20 season report
It’s been a crazy old season in the Gallagher Premiership and with every passing day, it’s looking more and more likely that we may have seen the last of the competition for the 2019/20 campaign.
With the Covid-19 outbreak putting the brakes on the competition until next month at the very earliest, and it looking unlikely that rugby will resume even then, the preseason friendlies for the 2020/21 season could be the next time we see a ball passed or kicked in anger in the competition.
There are also doomsday scenarios whereby one or two clubs could even end up going into administration due to the financial losses they will face over the period and though, touch wood, that doesn’t come to pass, it could be the last time we see those sides in their current guises.
Given those rather foreboding possibilities, we have looked back at the 13 rounds of rugby that were able to be played and come up with our potential end of season review.
From breakthrough players to biggest disappointments, and top signings to the XV of the season, we have it all covered below.
Continue reading below…
Watch: The Lockdown Episode 1 – Jim Hamilton is joined by Ian McKinley
Breakthrough Player of the Season
1st – Louis Rees-Zammit, Gloucester
The 19-year-old has thrived in senior rugby in just his first season out of Hartpury College and those performances for the Cherry and Whites were rewarded with a call-up to the Wales squad for the Guinness Six Nations. He has yet to make his full international debut, but his prolific finishing has him earmarked as a player who can be a difference-maker at the highest level in the future.
2nd – Joel Kpoku, Saracens
With Maro Itoje and George Kruis given an extended offseason following the Rugby World Cup and then again being required by England during the Six Nations, Kpoku has taken those opportunities with both hands and established himself as a player more than capable of cutting it at the Premiership level. He will be a vital component in the club’s rebuild following their salary cap indiscretions and expected relegation.
3rd – Alex Coles, Northampton Saints
A partner in the England U20 engine room with Kpoku last season, Coles has risen to prominence with Northampton this campaign, thanks in part due to Chris Boyd’s willingness to give youth a chance in the East Midlands. Whether deployed in the second row or at blindside flanker, in the now fashionable Pieter-Steph du Toit role, Coles has impressed for Saints and has formed nice tandems with fellow academy products Lewis Ludlam and Alex Moon.
Honourable mentions – Jacob Umaga (Wasps), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Manu Vunipola (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Bath), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), JJ Tonks (Northampton Saints), Rotimi Segun (Saracens)
No holding back here…https://t.co/rbyeldBI0d
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2020
Biggest disappointment
1st – Gloucester
The regression that Gloucester have encountered this season has been significant and disheartening for the club’s fervent fan base. Recent history shows that at least one of the two teams finishing 3rd or 4th in the Premiership will fall away the next season, so though whilst not entirely surprising, that is small comfort to those who were so buoyed by their 2018/19 campaign and expected even bigger and better things this season. Only time will tell if this is a one-season blip or a period of more considerable challenges for the club.
2nd – Relegation battle
Often the most compelling aspect of the Premiership season, Saracens’ salary cap infringements and subsequent points deductions have taken away all excitement around that usually competitive contest. Without that punishment, Leicester and Worcester would be in the thick of it, with Gloucester, London Irish, Harlequins and Bath all within a two-game swing of bottom spot.
EXCLUSIVE
Saracens will be relegated ?
There will be no player strike ?– @chrisjonespress with the latesthttps://t.co/CdoYvB26ys
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 21, 2020
3rd – Leicester Tigers
Leicester’s struggles last season were an unaccustomed experience for the club’s fans, who are much more used to life at the top of the table. If there were any hopes that it was a one-season anomaly, they have been dispelled thoroughly over the past six months, as Tigers have once again struggled near the bottom of the competition. They will be forever thankful for Saracens’ indiscretions coming to light.
Signing of the Season
1st – Dan du Preez, Sale Sharks
If you had to nail down one catalyst for Sale’s rise up the table to second spot, it would have to be du Preez, who has not only done extremely well to be the standout player in the north-west, but also the standout player in his family, with his two brothers having also impressed. His ball-carrying has been welcomed among the grafters, contact area specialists and defensive juggernauts in the Sharks’ back row.
And Tom Curry at No.8! #Lions2021 https://t.co/nxcyI9fmyx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2020
2nd – Jacques Vermeulen, Exeter Chiefs
Vermeulen’s signing came in somewhat under the radar last year, although that’s the last thing you could say of his performances since he arrived in the south-west. He has fit like a glove in Exeter’s physical and abrasive back row, and his graft and work in defence and attack at and close to the contact area, has helped the Chiefs excel.
3rd – Nathan Hughes, Bristol Bears
After bursting on to the scene with Wasps and England, Hughes’ stock had arguably began to drop a little in his final season at the Ricoh Arena, to the point one or two may have raised an eyebrow at the amount of money Pat Lam invested in the No 8. Hughes and Lam have been completely and comprehensively vindicated, though, as the former Auckland back row has shone in Bristol’s high-octane attacking game plan and is currently looking like money very well spent.
Honourable Mentions – Will Stuart (Bath), Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simpson (Gloucester), Jordan Taufua (Leicester Tigers), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Robert du Preez (Sale Sharks), Zach Kibirige (Newcastle Falcons)
Biggest surprise
1st – London Irish
Having spent big on their return to the Premiership, there was always going to be plenty of intrigue around Irish this season, though few expected those high-profile players to settle in and form a cohesive team as quickly as they have. Irish’s fast start to the season and significant scalps taken has put them in a solid position, even though relegation was taken off the table for other reasons.
2nd – Bristol Bears (and their defence)
Everyone was impressed with Bristol last season and how well they coped in their first season back in the Premiership. They have consolidated that this campaign and added a resoluteness and defensive toughness that arguably wasn’t there the previous season. Their games might not be quite as end-to-end and helter skelter as neutrals would want, but they are in a better place now to make a legitimate title bid next season.
3rd – Sale Sharks
Sale’s recruitment prior to this season was exciting and it was eye-catching, although there was no guarantee the players would swiftly bed in and they’d be able to launch a challenge on the Premiership title. Those fears were unfounded, though, as the players have settled quickly and Sale currently sit second in the table. With that strong South African core in place, Sale have taken the first step in following Saracens’ model of success.
How the coronavirus has hit Premiership players where it hurts… in the pockethttps://t.co/V1YBAgTolW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 21, 2020
Coach of the Season
1st – Lee Blackett, Wasps
Wasps had been battling it out with Leicester and Worcester at the bottom of the table, only for Blackett’s mid-season promotion to see them power away from the sides in the lower echelons and put themselves in a Heineken Champions Cup qualifying spot. The club’s three-straight wins prior to the season suspension included a 60-10 mauling of Saracens and impressive bonus point wins over London Irish and Gloucester.
2nd – Steve Diamond, Sale Sharks
Not everyone’s cup of tea, admittedly, but Diamond deserves credit for the way he has moulded the Sale squad this season and put them on track for a home semi-final in the Premiership playoffs. He’s only beaten here by Blackett due to the fact he is operating with a much more talent-rich squad than his Wasps counterpart.
3rd – Mark McCall, Saracens
Unfortunately for McCall, there will now always be an asterisk next to his achievements at Saracens, though that should not take away from the fine effort he’s put in this season. With a squad that is now cap compliant and still picked over by England for players, Saracens have put together enough wins and points to see them sit second in the competition were it not for their points deduction, and plenty of exciting youngsters have been blooded and given opportunities.
Prem boss has his say at the end of an extraordinary week https://t.co/QDeqlj0K7S
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2020
XV of the Season
- Charles Piutau, Bristol Bears
- Zach Kibirige, Wasps
- Ollie Lawrence, Worcester Warriors
- Nick Tompkins, Saracens
- Taqele Naiyaravoro, Northampton Saints
- Marcus Smith, Harlequins
- Cobus Reinach, Northampton Saints
- Ellis Genge, Leicester Tigers
- Luke Cowan-Dickie, Exeter Chiefs
- Vincent Koch, Saracens
- Franco Mostert, Gloucester
- Nick Isiekwe, Saracens
- Jacques Vermeulen, Exeter Chiefs
- Ben Earl, Saracens
- Dan du Preez, Sale Sharks
Young Guns XV of the Season
- George Furbank, Northampton Saints
- Louis Rees-Zammit, Gloucester
- Fraser Dingwall, Northampton Saints
- Jacob Umaga, Wasps
- Ollie Hassell-Collins, London Irish
- Manu Vunipola, Saracens
- Jack Maunder, Exeter Chiefs
- Rhys Carre, Saracens
- Will Capon, Bristol Bears
- Joe Heyes, Leicester Tigers
- Joel Kpoku, Saracens
- Alex Coles, Northampton Saints
- JJ Tonks, Northampton Saints
- Ben Earl, Saracens
- Ted Hill, Worcester Warriors
Watch: Lockdown workouts with Freddie Burns
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 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
4 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 commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments