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'We actually have to start getting some wins' - what life's like in the Premiership dogfight
At last it’s over, the enormous 40-day new year hibernation in between Premiership games. Only the 2019 summer off-season will have a longer break in between matches than what we have experienced following the final whistle blowing at the Ricoh on January 6 and the kick-off whistle sounding at Ashton Gate and Kingsholm tonight.
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European and Premiership Cup fixtures have been the focus the past five weekends, but the league now comes roaring back into fashion and will focus minds over the next four weekends.
There are multiple areas of intrigue. Just four points separate the duelling top two. Next is the nine-point log-jam that contains eight more teams on the ladder. And then comes the pair of cellar dwellers, the relegation battle where only four points separates bottom from the safety of 11th place.
The trapdoor is the league’s hottest topic. Premiership club owners are seeking RFU talks to ring-fence the tournament and put an end to the annual basement battle where the worst team is send packing to the Championship.
Delivering long-term financial sustainability for professional rugby in England is their stated key objective and an update is due on April 9. However, all that backroom politicking is of no use just now to the likes Newcastle and Worcester who are duking it out down in the basement.
(Continue reading below…)
The clubs will meet at Kingston Park on March 3 in what will likely be a delicious Sunday roast of a collision. But there are two rounds of matches before that summit to alter the current dynamic that has the four-win Warriors perched on 21 points, one win and four points better off than the Falcons whose fourth place finish last term is now but a distant memory.
Worcester are at Harlequins and host Leicester before they visit England’s north-east. Newcastle, meanwhile, have daunting away days at Bath and Exeter before they host their must-win match against their fellow strugglers. Some wins here and they could drag the likes of Bristol and others into the end-of-season fight for survival which both clubs are very familiar with.
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Glance at the finishing positions over the last six seasons and you will find either Worcester or Newcastle occupying the table’s 11th spot. That is admirable stickability even if they have each slipped up once, Newcastle relegated in 2012 and Worcester suffering likewise in 2014.
Given the preference, Newcastle midfielder Chris Harris would prefer if his club wasn’t slugging it out down the rear. It was felt Falcons had come of age last season, finishing up with 14 wins in 22 matches, featuring in a league semi-final at Exeter and qualifying for a first Champions Cup appearance since a 2005 quarter-final against Stade Francais.
The #GallagherPrem comes sweeping back into our lives 🤩
Will @BristolBears hold off the invading @WaspsRugby force? 💥
Can @gloucesterrugby defend the Kingsholm gates from @ExeterChiefs ? 💥
It all goes down 👉 TODAY 😲
Play our Predictor Game now:https://t.co/PGqYRDX9AR pic.twitter.com/1mXRvWTHpV
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 15, 2019
However, their old inconsistencies have since returned, plunging them into their latest fight for their future. “There has been a bit of a confidence thing going on at the club,” reckoned Harris, the Scottish international who scored against Italy in the Six Nations at the start of February.
“We weren’t playing badly at the start of the season, we just weren’t getting the results. That led to a bit of a confidence knock and it just spiralled, but it has got to the point now where we have got to park that and kick on. We are still showing we can play some good rugby and it’s about getting that consistency for 80 minutes and walking away with the victories.”
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Has the experience of juggling rare Champions Cup involvement with league commitments hindered? “No, I don’t think so. There was a bit more rotation in that European block but no, I don’t think that has had an effect on it at all because you still go out to win whether it is the Challenge Cup or the European Cup. Nothing changed there.”
Newcastle going down would look bad for the RFU business of spreading the rugby message around the country. Interest in England’s north-east has been growing since it hosted a share of 2015 World Cup matches.
Who can get back on track in the #GallagherPrem? 🤔
Who used the time off better? 🧐
Can @FalconsRugby get a head of steam? 🦅
Will @bathrugby challenge the top 4️⃣ ? 💙
Questions, questions, question 🤷♂️
Read the preview here:https://t.co/pEapUdVN9q pic.twitter.com/yo7dST2bBZ
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 13, 2019
Next May’s Champions Cup final in the Tyneside city has already been declared a sell-out, England are due to play a Test there against Italy next September, while the Falcons themselves have got into on the big-game action, drawing a 30,174 attendance to St James’ Park last March, a venue experiment they are repeating with their March 23 fixture against Sale.
This increased appetite for rugby is putting added pressure on the club to stay afloat in the Premiership and not suffer the catastrophe of relegation and a return to the Championship wilderness.
“Rugby is growing and growing and we owe it to the area, to the club and the fans to start putting some victories in,” accepted Harris.
“We’re at the stage now where we are very much aware of our league position. We are looking at this next block of four games looking to pick up as many victories as we can, but you have to take it week on week and Bath away is the first target.
“We’re going down to get something out of that and we then have got Exeter away, two tough fixtures but two fixtures we have to give a good go at.
“It’s just trying to get us to focus on ourselves, to get back to enjoying rugby because you can’t let the pressure get to you to much as you start playing within yourself. We’re just looking at how we’re playing the game and where we’re going wrong, putting those wrong parts of the game right.
“Relegation does keep everything interesting. There is more pressure on you to perform when there is relegation but that is just the way the league is. There is nothing we can do about that at the minute, but it does make it especially more interesting for the spectators and there is more pressure on teams at the bottom to be putting in performances.”
Harris was one of the main beneficiaries of Newcastle’s improvement last season, his form catching the eye of Gregor Townsend. The 28-year-old has gone on to make seven appearances for Scotland and while he hopes to add to that with a recall for next weekend’s trip to Paris, he would like go there on the back of a club result at Bath as he knows time is running out on the Falcons to spread their wings and lift themselves off the bottom.
“There is loads of time (Newcastle have 10 matches remaining) but the weeks go by pretty quick and we have addressed that in the team. We can’t week in week out keep coming in saying ‘we have to get a win boys’. We actually have to start getting some wins and that starts this week.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to comments