JAMES Harrington reports that the average gate in the French top flight this season was 14,841, with Bordeaux topping the list at 28,216.
Peter Jackson gives the comparable stats for England’s Premiership. London Irish averaged 9,110, Sale 6,619 and Newcastle 5,611. Yet one of the reasons behind Premiership Rugby’s rejection of Championship winners Jersey this spring is that their ground capacity is below their stipulated minimum of 10,001!
If the RFU persists with Premiership ring fencing, the Championship will never reach its full potential.
Paul Rees suggests that a...