The sudden and dramatic rise of any club to the Premiership from the ashes of failure owes much to its rich owner and also the ability to bend the rules. For just as Harlequins were not the only team using blood capsules, I’m sure Sarries are not the only ones to have bent the salary rules.
The thing is, even though I feel Saracens were more than a little hard done by, they, like Quins, got caught and took their punishment. However, what happens if there is no real Championship this season is another matter.
Even though in all probability they would have bounced straight back to the Premiership had the full Championship season taken place, the fact they haven’t actually won the league means they should stay where they are.
There has been a deathly silence from all involved, PRL the RFU, and the club itself, and yet we have had stories of a freeze on relegation for this season.
The problem for the Premiership is, if there is a relegation freeze, Saracens should be unable to be promoted even if the Championship were to start and they won unless there is an unfair increase in the top-flight numbers just to accommodate Saracens.
If a player is suspended for any offense at the end of the season, they have to serve their bans when the game resumes. I assume that is probably true for those players who were banned just before the shutdown of the sport last March?
This story is from the January 24, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 24, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
