Unwise to invest in the hope of reaching the top

JON Newcombe writes about how Blackheath in Kent have agreed a £1.5m deal to buy their ground in south-east London. He also describes how they might soon have the resurrected Wasps club as near neighbours.

Given the latter’s recent financial problems, their ejection from the leagues and Premiership ring fencing, it makes little sense for any ambitious club to now invest a seven-figure sum with the aim of reaching the top league.

Nick Cain describes how the glut of overseas players, added to the RFU‘s non-regulation on the issue, is blocking the way forward for English talent. His article should act as a major wake-up call for English rugby – and especially the RFU. As he says, ‘the blocking of home-grown talent is tantamount to self-harm’.

Premiership ring fencing plus the lack of any proper stepping stone between club and country are major stumbling blocks.

Chris Hewett reports that the Six Nations will not countenance promotion and relegation to and from their championship. Those countries seem keen to copy England‘s Premiership clubs in denying opportunities to ambitious ‘outsiders’.

The RFU is once again a party to the closed shop principle, having stood by while its Premiership clubs erected their ring fence.

Steve Hill interviews Jersey RFC’s head coach, Miles Landick. Having won back-toback promotions, his club are unlikely to limit their ambition to the national leagues.

Jersey RFC will push to achieve as high a league status as possible, even as high as their unfortunate predecessors, Jersey Reds. The latter’s sad and unnecessary demise is unlikely to deter others.

Jeff Gage