Playing Them Off

So the poll is over and you have voted that Exeter Chiefs will win the Championship this year!!

Thank you to everyone that voted - I am looking forward to seeing if you are right and will publish my thoughts on the runners and riders later this week.

Normally at this time of year teams are making last minute preparations in order to hit the ground running for the first league game of the season.

For the first time being ready for game 1 is not as important and the teams will have more time to gel and experiment.

The play off system is guaranteed to change the dynamics of the league and I am a big fan of the concept.

In years gone by losing three to four games would put an end to any Championship aspirations but it is a much more open playing field this year - in theory!!!

I like the group system at the end of the season - but ultimately to win promotion to the Premiership you have to perform on the big stage and what an exciting climax to the season.

I still prefer the Rugby League play off system - especially the idea that you can choose your semi-final opponents but this is a great step forward for the promotion of this league and should provide some exciting rugby at the end of the year.

Wouldn't fancy being in the relegation play off though!!!

London Welsh Enter Administration

It was sad to hear this week that London Welsh have gone into administration and I sincerely hope that they pull through and take their place in the new Championship in September.

Taking the step to appoint administrators Tenon Recovery must have been a big step and one that came as a bolt from the blue for most people involved in rugby at this level.

To everyone on the outside it looked as if London Welsh were creating a very strong squad that could rival the top four tems in the league but there must now be question marks over their participation let alone success in the new league.

However, there are some details of the announcement that do not sit particularly well which leads me to question the real threat of closure.

Take a look at the London Welsh website and you will get a flavour of the mixed messages coming from one of London's most famous rugby clubs.

Just four days prior to the announcement Welsh made the announcement that they had signed Simon Whatling from Championship rivals:

Quote:- “The ambition at London Welsh really appealed to me, while it’s also an exciting challenge for me personally, both in terms of my rugby and moving to a new city.”

There is either a very good sales man in the wrong job or all is not what it appears.

I have no doubt that London Welsh are having financial issues - who isn't in National Division One now the Championship - but I am sure it is not all doom and gloom.

The interview from the BBC is conducted very well and answers some of the question marks hanging over the club.

Reading between the lines Kelvin Bryon has funds to keep the club going but in order to reach the level they aspire to they need some serious investment and are twanging the heart strings of the London Welsh faithful.

But as the interviewer suggests this is probably not a business opportunity - at present without a ground to develop (such as Exeter Chiefs) - this is an expensive hobby for someone.

Everyone is chasing the dream of Premiership rugby but is it really sustainable?

Only one team will reach the promised land but what will their fate be? Bristol pleaded poverty before relegation and I am sure there are more teams in the Premiership in the same boat.

Having been through a similar scenario at Nottingham I feel for the players - especially with so many only recently signed. Many will have left solid contracts to join an aspirational London Welsh only to have been hit by this news.

Fingers crossed for London Welsh - the league needs to be competitive and they look to have a strong squad but lessons need to be learnt or more funding from the RFU is required.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.................................