So the Saints go marching on...alone.
The coaches have been quick to point the finger at the attritional nature of life in the Premership. More pertinently, the fact that super rich clubs such as the Ospreys and Toulouse are not salary capped is also a crucial factor. To survive the heavy casualty rate of a modern rugby season, you have to have covering players of real quality.
The Irish and Welsh teams play in the Magners League, which has a more sympathetic fixture list. It is also less attritional - but that does not make it a lesser competition - if it was, the Munsters of this world would find it impossible to step up the intensity. There is another factor at play here, too. The Irish and Welsh (and, of late, the Scots, too) seem to be able to develop their young talent in the Magners in a way that the results driven Premiership clubs find difficult. Hence - more quality cover that's been tested in game situations, and an eye on developing talent rather than buying in another "name" player.
1 comment:
yeah whatever
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