Martin Crowson's five things: Premier clubs in league of their own
Martin Crowson looks back at five key points from the weekend's rugby action.
1The English salary cap may well render their clubs' hopes of success in Europe virtually impossible but, in terms of creating a domestic league which is attractive to both fans and sponsors, it has hit the jackpot. As the Aviva Premiership heads towards round 10, there are just six points separating the top eight teams, which creates fantastic interest heading towards the second half of the season.
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Leicester Tigers' George Ford v Wasps
2Wasps director of rugby Dai Young was a relieved man after Sunday's win against Leicester Tigers. Having enjoyed the better possession, territory and chances, there was still a chance for George Ford to kick what would have been a winning penalty in the last 10 minutes. "Leicester being Leicester just do not go away," said Young. "That's a perfect example of why they keep winning trophies and are in the top four all the time. You just have to keep swatting them away."
3The southern hemisphere's dominance of the autumn internationals has been astonishing. Not only have the 'big three' of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa won all but one of their Tests, but Samoa beat Wales and nearly beat France, while Argentina beat Wales and Tonga recorded a sensational win against Scotland. If England lose to the All Blacks and Wales to Australia this weekend, there could be some serious inquests ahead.
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4Good luck to the bloke who takes over from Andy Robinson as Scotland coach. Rugby has declined so much north of the border that the new man will have a serious task on his hands. With just Glasgow and Edinburgh as professional sides, the new coach may have a clean slate but he will have the same bunch of players to work with. There simply aren't any more to choose from.
5With Aussie Quade Cooper and Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams both having quit pro rugby to become boxers, it got me thinking which Tiger would be the tastiest in the ring. Manu Tuilagi clearly has a decent right hook, Brett Deacon has a long-standing reputation as the hardest man at the club and Dan Cole's stare alone would render most opponents stiff with fear. But I would most like to see Ben Youngs and Micky Young in action. Both are spiky, aggressive and itching for confrontation. Just the way good scrum-halves should be.
Comments
by Oadbylad
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 9:43AM
“One interesting fact to come from Sundays game
Wasps wingers have scored 13 tries ...the most in the PL
Tigers wingers have scored 6
just about sums up the way and style we are playing”
by Snaggy
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 4:20PM
“It will be interesting to see how the George Ford situation is handled. Toby Flood has been a good, if rather inconsistent, player but surely the time has come to look to the future and stick with Ford even when Flood is fit again. Perhaps they can then begin to change how the backs play. For several seasons they have been pretty clueless once the ball has reached the centres. Perhaps a new backs coach ( do they have one at the moment?) could be found who has more than one strategy ie to run straight at the opposition until you drop the ball, get turned over or penalised. How refreshing it would be to see a move which required speed and guile rather than brute force, something which most Premiership clubs seem to manage. Geordan Murphy is now too slow and predictable. Is it not time to play Tait on a regular basis rather than being sentimental and clinging to the past?”
by crombieman
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 3:04PM
“agree with Nuneaton Tiger - if Sunday's game was an example of a competitive league then no thanks! what was great to see was 2 English wingers causing serious problems - shame they weren't playing for Tigers!
did Varndell go because of his defence and/or £s - whatever the reason with a bit more luck he'd have had 3. Christian Wade causes havoc like Jason Robinson used to - it's a shame England can't find room for him. i love the Tuilagis to bits but the sight of any player side stepping and sprinting past defences is what I remember from games not endless 18 stone mens smashing into more 18 stone defenders.
hopefully when we get our forwards back we'll create some space for our backs to entertain us too!”
by NuneatonTiger
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 8:58AM
“So Martin you prefer a eight clubs to be within 8 points due to PRL's dumbing down with salary caps, payoffs, sharing out the RRU's compensation to clubs for developing and providing England players with the rest of the premiership and playing premiership games during internationals.
Or would you prefer a salary system that was restricted to the clubs ability to fund its playing side from its business, English clubs challenging and winning some times the European Cup and a national team who are the best in the Northern Hemisphere winning the World Cup?
I know which I prefer, to see Premiership Clubs fighting for every point and England top of the World.”