Aviva Premiership: something exciting happens

[fourthirtythree]

You get the impression that there's going to be a fair amount of movement this year.

And I guess a lot of agents want to get in early before the money runs out ...

[riocard911]

A lovely story about Jimmy Gopperth, his kicking tee and its inventor:


Jimmy Gopperth 'blown away' by offer to extend rugby innovator's legacy

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport ... h-22503456

[paddyor]

Rumours of another salary cap breach, not as bad as Saracens mind. Top 6 club in the GP and it’s not Saracens. My money would have been on sale but the top 6 part rules them out.
Rugby paper

English rugby is bracing itself for another salary cap scandal after Premier Rugby launched an investigation into a potential breaking of the rules.

Blindside understands that coaching staff and players have been interviewed by the salary cap manager about a potential breach.

The chief executive of the club, who are currently in the top six of the Premiership, has also been implicated and has faced a grilling.

The club under suspicion isn’t Saracens, who are currently second in the Premiership table after spending last season in the Championship after being found guilty of breaching the cap in 2019.

After being deducted 35 points and fined £5.3m in November 2019, they opted for a further points penalty rather than open up their books for a full forensic audit.

We believe this potential breach isn’t on the same scale, and the investigation will continue early in the New Year.

[wixfjord]

Current top 6?

Exeter have been offloading players recently...

[FLIP]

Rumour mill this side of the Irish Sea says it allegedly may be Quins due to unbudgeted for bonus payments for winning the prem last season

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I wonder who leaked this information that made sure to exonerate Saracens?

[wixfjord]

Quins v Northampton is a cracking game. Both sides really going for it in attack.

[the spoofer]

Quins v Northampton is a cracking game. Both sides really going for it in attack.

Great entertainment but relatively low quality. Coaches must hate the way teams have such little respect for the ball.

[FLIP]

Rumour mill this side of the Irish Sea says it allegedly may be Quins due to unbudgeted for bonus payments for winning the prem last season

Turns out that it was Tigers: https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/statement-211228

[neill_m]

EXCLUSIVE: Leicester Tigers are at the centre of a Premiership Rugby salary cap inquiry into a defunct image rights company and allegations of historic third party player payments.

@AlexMLowe

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leic ... -s560xpbh5

[IanD]

This is a blow for the new poster boys of the Premiership.

[Ruckedtobits]

EXCLUSIVE: Leicester Tigers are at the centre of a Premiership Rugby salary cap inquiry into a defunct image rights company and allegations of historic third party player payments.

@AlexMLowe

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leic ... -s560xpbh5

This may also explain the recent exodus announced by them for end of season. Three / four guys we can no longer afford.

[blockhead]

Leicester Cheetah's ?





I'll get my coat.

[paddyor]

EXCLUSIVE: Leicester Tigers are at the centre of a Premiership Rugby salary cap inquiry into a defunct image rights company and allegations of historic third party player payments.

@AlexMLowe

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leic ... -s560xpbh5

This may also explain the recent exodus announced by them for end of season. Three / four guys we can no longer afford.

It seems it’s image rights. Involving the same co that sarries used to value itojes.

I think the offloading of Ford and genge(he gets is apparently taking a pay cut to go to Bristol)is linked to the salary cap reduction. Pollard can come in as a marquee as he’s new to the gp.

[dropkick]

Premiership mid tier players concerned about their future.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/uk.sports. ... 00323.html


I'd say covid was a good opportunity for the premiership clubs to make much needed cuts. They're falling further behind the top 14.

[hugonaut]

Premiership mid tier players concerned about their future.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/uk.sports. ... 00323.html


I'd say covid was a good opportunity for the premiership clubs to make much needed cuts. They're falling further behind the top 14.

It's difficult for those guys – there's a lot of problems in the world right now, and worrying about your job security is a tough scene.

On the other hand, and just as fair an argument, is that they have been overpaid for years. It's not a moral judgment, it is just expenditure vs income. Very few [if any] of the clubs make enough money through TV deals, sponsorship, gate receipts and merchandising to pay their wage bill ... they lose money year after year.

[ronk]

American Football has a salary cap, but it also has a whole structure of minimum salaries and bonuses and rules like the rookie contract and franchise player status. It's linked to be a percentage of league income which makes it far more sustainable.

The English salary cap is complicated enough with international match fees, exempt players and academy allowances.

[wixfjord]

Just watching Bristol v Sale (good game). Is Bryan Byrne injured or is he just out of favour? Not in the Bristol 23 and I don't recognise the two hookers.

[cormac]

Just watching Bristol v Sale (good game). Is Bryan Byrne injured or is he just out of favour? Not in the Bristol 23 and I don't recognise the two hookers.

Haven't seen his name on a Bristol teamsheet for quite some time.

A battle of two fly-halves who could have played for Ireland.

[blockhead]

https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/l ... TO=newsnow