Founded in 2001, the United Rugby Championship (URC) champions the slogan “Take on Tomorrow” and positions itself as an agent of positive social change, with 16 teams competing – four each from Ireland, South Africa and Wales and two each from Italy and Scotland. Since its inception, Leinster has dominated the competition with nine wins.
The Top 14 solely focuses on the domestic game in France. Former French rugby president Bernard Laporte led a refocus on the game whereby clubs were encouraged to develop their own talent through academies which house the best emerging young French talent, and overseas coaches were discouraged.
The consequence has been an increase in playing talent and in the number of spectators attending games. Toulouse, Pau, Toulon and Stade Français head the current Top 14 table, while Toulouse and Bordeaux have dominated the European Champions Cup.
The UK’s Gallagher Premiership delivers exhilarating rugby, with teams like Bristol and Northampton often delivering performances filled with flair and individual virtuosity. Most clubs, however, are suffering financial pressure. Player salaries have escalated. Club ground capacities are limited in some cases, although renting Alliance Stadium has been profitable for Harlequins becasue their fans are conveniently located nearby. After nine rounds, Northampton Saints top the Gallagher Premiership table.
However, overall the rugby-playing product must improve. Many spectators are frustrated with lineout and scrum delays, while Television Match Officials are interfering more.
The natural progression for the three competitions would be a performance-based merger. Three leagues of promotion and relegation might work, driven by strong TV support, as it is in the Top 14.
Perhaps we should re-market the description, which currently focuses on collision rather than skill.
How about we go with, “Skill is the pill, take it daily”?
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.