IN Rugby Paper Sept 4, Nick Cain says “the Premiership cartel is throttling the English game by killing ambition”. He adds that the RFU has departed from its remit of a meritocratic league structure. Both issues are a savage indictment of the governing body.
Yet some Championship clubs have fallen for the Premiership ruse that a few preseason friendlies makes up for being denied the prospect of promotion by the new ring-fence. Clubs like Ealing and Jersey have made huge strides both on and off the field, yet are denied entry to the Premiership – even if they win t...