PREM 25/26 - Round 4

[Vieux Talonneur]

Well that either makes him stupid or gutless … he was in a great position to cement himself as the first choice 8 and instead he's chasing cash and sunshine.

You say that like it’s a bad thing. We’re not yet going down the football path where the international game is totally secondary to the clubs but it’s becoming evident that not everyone is totally in thrall to their national jerseys in that way we used to expect. Maybe he just found the international game an interminable dull treadmill and prefers the club game?

Or maybe he is a total financial mercenary. We don’t know his reasons, but either way, if he can really earn more, get a better lifestyle and probably more interesting week to week rugby then fair play to him for calling it. He’ll be aware of the consequences.

 

[BPM]

Depends on your perspective. Let’s not pretend he wasn’t already financially well-rewarded.

I’d have given my right bollock to be as good as Tom Willis playing for England and personally I’d value starting in a team competing for the uniqueness of success in test rugby than cold hard cash.

He had the opportunity to have it all. Enjoy the benefits of a central contract with England and go to the WRC in 2027 with an outside shot of winning it and then move to France afterward.

He also didn’t need to screw England over by signing a central contract.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Brown-Bampoe out. Gutted, that backline would have been electric. Woodburn not a bad replacement though.

 

[Arcturus]

Well that either makes him stupid or gutless … he was in a great position to cement himself as the first choice 8 and instead he's chasing cash and sunshine.

I actually think these sort of attitudes are counterproductive. I don't doubt that being in contention or even playing for England must be amazing, but the stark reality is that England caps aren't going to pay the bills when you're retired in your late 30's from the game, perhaps earlier through injury. Nor is that income sufficient to support your family when you're older and you start suffering for neurological problems caused through concussion.

The problem isn't players opting to double, treble (or more) their income. The problem is that English domestic rugby hasn't done enough to commercialise the game like the French have which in turn drives revenues and would support higher salaries.

Imagine telling your wife that someone was offering you three times more money to live in a sunny wine region where the cost of living is far lower, but you were going to turn it down because of playing for England (and there isn't a guarantee of that for multiple reasons). She'd think you were already suffering from repeated knocks to the head.

Also look at the abuse Farrell and other England players have been increasingly receiving in recent years from your own fan base.

I'm starting to get why Willis wants out.

View attachment 24875

Isn't Willis from Berkshire

 

[Jimbo]

I actually think these sort of attitudes are counterproductive. I don't doubt that being in contention or even playing for England must be amazing, but the stark reality is that England caps aren't going to pay the bills when you're retired in your late 30's from the game, perhaps earlier through injury. Nor is that income sufficient to support your family when you're older and you start suffering for neurological problems caused through concussion.

The problem isn't players opting to double, treble (or more) their income. The problem is that English domestic rugby hasn't done enough to commercialise the game like the French have which in turn drives revenues and would support higher salaries.

Imagine telling your wife that someone was offering you three times more money to live in a sunny wine region where the cost of living is far lower, but you were going to turn it down because of playing for England (and there isn't a guarantee of that for multiple reasons). She'd think you were already suffering from repeated knocks to the head.

Also look at the abuse Farrell and other England players have been increasingly receiving in recent years from your own fan base.



Isn't Willis from Berkshire

Absolutely fair IIRC the Willis brothers in the wasps days were training to become plumbers and go into a partnership, I think people may not realise how close these two are and if they have kids they might want them to grow up near the cousins etc, it’s not as black and white as England trumps all and is the only factor, obviously the two have huge financial worries during Wasps folding ultimately if he got an offer he couldn’t refuse, the opportunity to live near his brother probably a low cost of living who are we to judge.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Touring Australia this summer has ruined Marcus, he can't handle this beautiful British weather at all

 

[Jimbo]

Exe very lucky that wasn’t even a tackle clearly no arms, no attempt to get to feet.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I really hate mauls in open play, just ******* referee them
As soon as Dickson calls maul Roots pulls it down - that should be a Quins penalty not a Chiefs scrum

 

[Jimbo]

Swing round that was completely illegal…

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a good round for short blonde back 3 players

 

[Jimbo]

blimey Quins are dire considering last week.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Skinner's played really well, would like to see him in the England A games instead of Atkinson again (again again)

 

[Jimbo]

Ffs smith!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Can't call him a bystander if he drives into it,

It's dynamic so i wouldn't say it's a red but that should be a yellow


Edit: KD outsourcing his decisions to this forum

 

[Jimbo]

Was that a clear out of just sealing off?

 

[Jimbo]

Blimey didn’t see Exe undoing Quins like this that’s a statement.

 

[PremRugbyScorigami]

Exeter 38-0 Harlequins

NO Scorigami.

This is the 3rd instance of this score.

First Game: 28/03/10 London Irish 38-0 Sale
Last Game: 27/12/24 Sale 38-0 Bristol

 

[Arcturus]

Still early days, but Harlequins, Gloucester and Newcastle starting to drift. Is there relegation this year?

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

As far as I know only if the team that may get promoted meet the stadium standards. So if it's Worcester then yes, Ealing no (unless they break from their tradition of not doing anything to secure a stadium share deal elsewhere then complain about it)

I may be wrong though

 

[Geordie]

No I think there's no relegation this season, but there is promotion.