ROTTEN Borough’ politics have turned English rugby’s once showcase top league into one which is showing signs of serious decay. The Premiership’s 10 clubs have not only accumulated a debt sinkhole of over £300m, but also there are strong indicators that a league with only five fixtures a week does not cut it as a big draw for TV broadcasters, live audiences, or armchair fans.
Two Friday night fixtures, and one on Sunday afternoon, leaving just two Premiership matches in the traditional Saturday afternoon prime time slot, has left club rugby union with a sadly...