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Premiership Rugby statement: Gallagher Premiership round one games

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Premiership Rugby bosses have announced that all six opening round Gallagher Premiership matches this weekend will definitely still go ahead despite the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

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The matches scheduled for London Irish, Newcastle and Exeter on Saturday and at Gloucester on Sunday will be staged as originally planned, but the two Friday night games at Bristol and Sale have been postponed. Bristol’s match with Bath has been shifted to Saturday with a 5pm kick-off while Sale versus Northampton in Manchester will have a 3pm start on Sunday.

The Friday lunchtime confirmation as to what would happen put an end to a considerable wait for an announcement to come through. The league in England was due to commence with a bumper 20,000-plus Ashton Gate attendance for Friday night’s west country derby in front of the live TV BT Sport cameras.

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It was shortly after 8am on Friday when the Bears tweeted they were awaiting further news on the status of their high-profile derby and it took four hours for this news to emerge that the match was off and would instead be played a day later.

“We are awaiting guidance regarding tonight’s fixture and will update as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience,” wrote Bristol in a short social message and confirmation eventually arrived at 12:48pm.

Before that Premiership Rugby confirmation, Gloucester were the only club in action on Saturday or Sunday to have named their team as scheduled at Friday noon. They announced they were going to hand a debut to new signing Albert Tuisue at home to Wasps on Sunday off the bench. However, they added: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Kingsholm Stadium will be running a reduced matchday experience.

“We will also take a moment to reflect on the passing of Her Majesty ahead of kick-off. There will also be reduced coverage across Gloucester Rugby channels during this period.”

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When it came, the statement from the league bossed read: “Premiership Rugby is united in paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her inspirational life of service and her unparalleled contribution to the United Kingdom.

“Following consultation with the RFU, DCMS and the PRL Board, Premiership Rugby can confirm that as a mark of respect, the two Gallagher Premiership matches scheduled for today will be postponed. Bristol Bears vs Bath Rugby will take place at 5.30pm on Saturday and an update will be given on the Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints as soon as possible.

“The other matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as scheduled, with Premiership clubs joining with supporters in recognising Queen Elizabeth’s life and service. Prior to the start of each match, a one-minute silent tribute will take place. All players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands.”

It emerged later on Friday that an alternative date had been agreed for Sale versus Northampton, with the game now going ahead on Sunday.

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2 Comments
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finn 787 days ago

Absolutely absurd that sports have been pressured to postpone fixtures. This is the sort of thing that would happen in North Korea.

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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 2 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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