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An end to promotion play-offs ... what a smart idea

Bristol's Jason Woodward

Scrapping the play-off for promotion to the Aviva Premiership is old school smart, writes James Harrington

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One of the biggest handicaps facing clubs promoted from the Greene King IPA Championship to the Aviva Premiership will be lifted from next season.

The English RFU Council has rubber-stamped a three-season plan put forward by the organisers of the two leagues and the RFU to remove the end-of-season play-off system between the top four teams in the second tier to decide who will be named champions and promoted to the top flight assuming certain criteria, including stadium standards, are met.

The multi-million pound deal – part-financed by additional funding from the RFU and Premiership Rugby (PRL) – also features increased payments to each Championship club plus additional payments based on clubs’ final league positions to ensure competition throughout the season.  

In a statement, the RFU’s chief executive Ian Ritchie said: “The first-past-the-post system will allow the promoted club a greater amount of time to recruit ahead of the next season, which is important for their preparation in playing in the Premiership.”

With even greater honesty, Premiership Rugby’s chief executive Mark McCafferty, said: “It’s vital that any club being promoted from the Greene King IPA Championship is as prepared as it can be to compete, given the quality and intensity of Premiership Rugby.

“The current play-off system does not always help with that, whereas a return to first-past-the-post from next season will provide the potential for more advanced planning and recruitment.”

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The decision is a recognition that the promotion play-off system is a farce that serves no good rugby purpose.

Bristol won promotion via the play-offs last season, having finished top of the table in four of the five campaigns from 2011 to 2016. They finished the regular season 16 points clear of the chasing pack. For months, it was clear to anyone paying even the vaguest attention that they were the best side in the league.

But they still had to win a two-leg play-off, which they had failed to do in three previous attempts. As a result of that uncertainty, they were left way behind in the annual open season for the signatures of out-of-contract players when they could have started recruiting much earlier.

It has turned into a major problem, as they head into the closing six rounds of the Premiership at the foot of the table, with just three wins from their 16 matches so far.

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They could yet pull off a great escape after newly arrived consultant Alan Solomons engineered a win over Bath last weekend. But the arrival of Pat Lam and Steven Luatua next season, and some key players agreeing to remain, regardless of the level of competition indicates that Bristol are hoping for the best and already planning for the worst.

As of March 3 this year, current Championship leaders London Irish had 15 wins from 15, with a points difference of +295; they had picked up 12 try-scoring bonus points and – with five matches of the regular season remaining – were 15 points clear of nearest rivals Yorkshire Carnegie. Yet, no matter how likely it seems that they will finish top of the table, they will still face that two-leg play-off.

They are in a slightly different position, after being relegated from the English top flight at the end of the 2015/16 season. They were able to keep the core of their side together, and – assuming they win the play-off – would be better prepared for any relegation dogfight in the immediate seasons to come.

Regardless, the RFU Council’s decision is to be welcomed. It’s old school, but it’s sensible.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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