Read this on The Rugby Blog and thought I’d flag it up :
We have seen some sensational club rugby in recent weeks. The Heineken Cup continues to thrill and it would appear that Sky have signed a contract with the Guinness Premiership clubs that every game they feature must be decided in the last minute or feature at the very least a losing bonus point.
This all comes hot on the heels of the autumn internationals, perhaps only one of which (Wales v Australia) will live for very long in the memory. It was not helped for England fans that their team was abject and it is amazing to see how many fair-weather supporters have jumped off the bandwagon which was gaining such momentum just a few short years ago. But there is little doubt that those games were short on drama and thrills.
So which game would you rather watch: Leinster vs Wasps, or Ireland vs Scotland? Harlequins vs Stade Francais, or England vs Italy? The increasing thrill-factor of club rugby is continuing to be matched by the ever-growing turgidity of its international counterpart. In terms of speed, skill-level and excitement, the Heineken Cup has been gaining on the 6 Nations for some years and at some stage the balance will change.
Has to be said that Guinness Premiership games are getting better and better and the standards higher and higher. Leicester V Bath is another example (Our good mate Rita-Marie was there doing photography for that game and got some brilliant shots). A rennaisance in the club game can only be a good thing…it’d be nice if the it transferred through to the England team too though.
Then there is a grass roots and what is happening below Premiership Level but that’s a debate for another day.
