Aviva Premiership: something exciting happens

[cormac]

Hasn't a deal been done where they are allowed keep the trophies as long as they aren't displayed anywhere public?

Indeed

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sara ... -z30ln5l8c

Getting a bit silly now.
What's the punishment if they display them?

public flogging

[blockhead]

Madser.

"My contract is up in Bristol at the end of the season," Madigan said.
"I'm going through that process at the moment and maybe potentially looking at coming back home, all the Irish provinces are going as strong as ever and you would love to be involved there again, but you just have to wait and see.
"I'd be open to playing at any of the provinces, be that Leinster, Munster, Connacht or Ulster. There are great things going on with Andy Friend in Connacht and Dan McFarland in Ulster. Munster and Leinster are strong as ever, it would be a joy to play with any of the provinces."

Connacht and Ulster look most likely considering the depth at Leinster and Munster.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

That faint thud in the distance you heard just now was Stephen Jones's head exploding after the additional 70point deduction for Saracens*
(Stephen Jones with the Times - one of the only journalists to actually defend Saracans* https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rele ... -jhk5jp275)

[Dave Cahill]

Madser.

"My contract is up in Bristol at the end of the season," Madigan said.
"I'm going through that process at the moment and maybe potentially looking at coming back home, all the Irish provinces are going as strong as ever and you would love to be involved there again, but you just have to wait and see.
"I'd be open to playing at any of the provinces, be that Leinster, Munster, Connacht or Ulster. There are great things going on with Andy Friend in Connacht and Dan McFarland in Ulster. Munster and Leinster are strong as ever, it would be a joy to play with any of the provinces."

Connacht and Ulster look most likely considering the depth at Leinster and Munster.

He'd be a great signing for either, but I have the feeling he may have annoyed someone in the Union because the last time his contract was up he issued a "come and get me" series of interviews and no one bit - Connacht were particularly snooty about it if memory serves

[blockhead]

It amazes me how a paper of such repute would continue to employ such a colossal gobsh!te. Then it is all about the clicks these days, we have our own Ewan something or other.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

It amazes me how a paper of such repute would continue to employ such a colossal gobsh!te. Then it is all about the clicks these days, we have our own Ewan something or other.

that thatch he wears on his head co-sponsored by nigel wray, perhaps?
his logic for defending the sarashambles is jaw dropping.

[hugonaut]

Madser.

"My contract is up in Bristol at the end of the season," Madigan said.
"I'm going through that process at the moment and maybe potentially looking at coming back home, all the Irish provinces are going as strong as ever and you would love to be involved there again, but you just have to wait and see.
"I'd be open to playing at any of the provinces, be that Leinster, Munster, Connacht or Ulster. There are great things going on with Andy Friend in Connacht and Dan McFarland in Ulster. Munster and Leinster are strong as ever, it would be a joy to play with any of the provinces."

Connacht and Ulster look most likely considering the depth at Leinster and Munster.

He'd be a great signing for either, but I have the feeling he may have annoyed someone in the Union because the last time his contract was up he issued a "come and get me" series of interviews and no one bit - Connacht were particularly snooty about it if memory serves

Willie Ruane said how happy he was with Moritz Boshoff. Idiot. If he had played his cards right the union would have signed Madigan for him.

[sunshiner1]

by hugonaut

Willie Ruane said how happy he was with Moritz Boshoff. Idiot. If he had played his cards right the union would have signed Madigan for him.

No one knew what a disaster Boshoff would be but looking at it now its a shame. TBF I doubt Connacht could afford Madigan then or now.

[Peg Leg]

by hugonaut

Willie Ruane said how happy he was with Moritz Boshoff. Idiot. If he had played his cards right the union would have signed Madigan for him.

No one knew what a disaster Boshoff would be but looking at it now its a shame. TBF I doubt Connacht could afford Madigan then or now.

I would say Madser's salary expectations have reduced somewhat since his exit.

[locho]

by hugonaut

Willie Ruane said how happy he was with Moritz Boshoff. Idiot. If he had played his cards right the union would have signed Madigan for him.

No one knew what a disaster Boshoff would be but looking at it now its a shame. TBF I doubt Connacht could afford Madigan then or now.

I would say Madser's salary expectations have reduced somewhat since his exit.

You would think he'd have made enough by now, his last deal being £500k a year with Bristol, that he'd be happy to take €150-200k to come home with potential to make an Ireland squad or two.

[Morf]

Bit dismissive to talk about someone's wages that way, no?

[Peg Leg]

Bit dismissive to talk about someone's wages that way, no?

I stand by "somewhat reduced" based on his involvement with Brizzle this season.

[Morf]

Bit dismissive to talk about someone's wages that way, no?

I stand by "somewhat reduced" based on his involvement with Brizzle this season.

I don't have an issue with your post.

Locho's suggestion 'he should accept 30-40% of wages to be in Ireland and be thankful for it' attitude was a bit off for me.

[ronk]

Bit dismissive to talk about someone's wages that way, no?

I stand by "somewhat reduced" based on his involvement with Brizzle this season.

I don't have an issue with your post.

Locho's suggestion 'he should accept 30-40% of wages to be in Ireland and be thankful for it' attitude was a bit off for me.

I think he’ll be getting a pay cut wherever he goes. A substantial one and possibly of that order. He got 2 amazing deals and his stock has fallen hard. He’s a risk.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/matt-gal ... h-saracens

Gallagher... Irish qualified.... Leaving salarysins for munster.

Start of the exodus?

[FLIP]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51460013

Some non-Sarries news, Dai Young is stepping back from first team duties for an interim period, with backs coach Lee Blackett taking over.

[blockhead]

Back to Sarries.

Saracens sponsors Allianz are set to pull the plug after 8 years. Allianz's sponsorship was due to end in 2021 but it is understood that the club's principal partner will cut ties a year early. Worth £2M a year.

[blockhead]

The English Championship has had its funding slashed by 50% from next season.

"The Championship is, and will continue to be, a useful way for players to get additional developmental experience, but we do not believe it is the primary place where Premiership and England players are discovered and developed.” Bill Sweeney RFU CEO

[TrapperChamonix]

The English Championship has had its funding slashed by 50% from next season.

"The Championship is, and will continue to be, a useful way for players to get additional developmental experience, but we do not believe it is the primary place where Premiership and England players are discovered and developed.” Bill Sweeney RFU CEO

As much as the English Premiership clubs bleat about the danger of relegation, the truth is that they only go down for a 1 and bounce straight back up and with their golden share's they maintain their income. In reality they have ring fenced 13 teams for a 12 team league. This announcement further strengthens that position.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

The English Championship has had its funding slashed by 50% from next season.

"The Championship is, and will continue to be, a useful way for players to get additional developmental experience, but we do not believe it is the primary place where Premiership and England players are discovered and developed.” Bill Sweeney RFU CEO

As much as the English Premiership clubs bleat about the danger of relegation, the truth is that they only go down for a 1 and bounce straight back up and with their golden share's they maintain their income. In reality they have ring fenced 13 teams for a 12 team league. This announcement further strengthens that position.

I hear saracens won't get the parachute payment normally given to relegated clubs and allianz have formally announced they're ending the sponsorship.
McCall was in an interview yesterday waxing lyrical about how the whole focus at the moment is the leinster game in April. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/mark-mcc ... pions-cup/

No pressure, then.