A glimmer and signs of club rugby coming back

Makes sense!

Scrumtime wrote: I was under the impression that what was posted was made up and had nothing to do with NCA according to Mr Inverdale’s post, just guesswork by someone with too much time on their hands!   I would suspect a new round of crowd funding by clubs and level 3 and 4 then. Some of which had already advance sold season tickets for this season. Be interesting how that’s received as post last time clubs and D of R’s then announced a raft of signings and players!!

Signings were understandable last time around as most people expected the league season to start in November.

Not sure raising money to pay players will go down that well now there isn't going to be a league season.

Halliford wrote: The basic concept of a 15 match NCA Cup with teams in groups of 6 leading to a Final is probable and was one of the suggestions in the August consultation. Giles Hilton of Canterbury was very vocal in insisting on local matches - the suggested group put them in West London!! The groups were fictitious. There is, I hear, a meeting tomorrow with the Government which may offer more clarity. Talking to our players they just want to play and are prepared to take the consequences. We have 3 friendlies planned for December, under whatever rules we are allowed then. I think they all understand that there will be no payment for an NCA Cup and we are already looking forward to next season when, hopefully, we will have something closer to normality.

Scrumtime wrote: Halliford wrote: The basic concept of a 15 match NCA Cup with teams in groups of 6 leading to a Final is probable and was one of the suggestions in the August consultation. Giles Hilton of Canterbury was very vocal in insisting on local matches - the suggested group put them in West London!! The groups were fictitious. There is, I hear, a meeting tomorrow with the Government which may offer more clarity. Talking to our players they just want to play and are prepared to take the consequences. We have 3 friendlies planned for December, under whatever rules we are allowed then. I think they all understand that there will be no payment for an NCA Cup and we are already looking forward to next season when, hopefully, we will have something closer to normality. I think there is no chance of UK Gov letting you or anybody else play in Dec. It may be a very different story at Esher but I would suggest that players in very troubled areas will not be doing this. Can you see UK Gov letting people in Caldy, Sale and DMP or any of the sides in Nat 2 North play rugby, I think not! Saying that I see DMP started a Crowd Funder yesterday the first of many I would think!

OMG I'm agreeing with MB again!

I cannot see the season going ahead now, a vaccine was the only hope and that will be available by late Spring at earliest, and I am not sure rugby players will be a priority!!!

I take a different view. There have been 2 rounds of prem 15s matches with no positive tests reported as a result of involvement in these matches. These players are not full time, have jobs outside of rugby and have and will not be tested prior to training or playing. Some of these matches took place in Tier 3 areas. There is no evidence that outdoor adapted rugby is anymore infection spreading than indoor pubs, restaurants, cafes which continue to be open under Tiers 3, 2 and 1. Most players will play at all levels because they want to play-the money has become secondary-mainly as they realise they will be getting none. I do not believe we will see a league season, it will be a series of local organised friendlies probably under the adapted laws. Players will play because they do not want to see their clubs disappear. All these players have been playing for years with the risk of catching flu and spreading it to a family member - how many has this stopped playing?

marigold wrote: I take a different view. There have been 2 rounds of prem 15s matches with no positive tests reported as a result of involvement in these matches. These players are not full time, have jobs outside of rugby and have and will not be tested prior to training or playing. Some of these matches took place in Tier 3 areas. There is no evidence that outdoor adapted rugby is anymore infection spreading than indoor pubs, restaurants, cafes which continue to be open under Tiers 3, 2 and 1. Most players will play at all levels because they want to play-the money has become secondary-mainly as they realise they will be getting none. I do not believe we will see a league season, it will be a series of local organised friendlies probably under the adapted laws. Players will play because they do not want to see their clubs disappear. All these players have been playing for years with the risk of catching flu and spreading it to a family member - how many has this stopped playing?

Monkey Boy wrote: Halliford wrote: Great responses everyone! I’m actually firmly stuck to the fence on this. Our players want to play and many of them live in Central London so have been through a difficult lockdown. Yes, the Club is in Tier 2, I live 3 miles away and am in Tier 1 - thanks to the River Thames!! I appreciate that it will be more difficult to get matches played in Tier 2 or 3 areas and even in Tier 1 areas managing spectators will be very difficult, although we can seat 150 socially distanced inside the Clubhouse for the Premiership Final so could have a small gate. Players are not expecting to be paid for non-League matches. What we have done this summer is build a great camaraderie amongst them. The vibe is great, the fun and laughter immense and the work ethic outstanding. They just want to play the game they love. Whether they will get that opportunity sadly relies on an incompetent Government. Just ensure they never vote for this government ever again