As an Irish rugby fan, love your channel, your passion for the game is unquestionable and your reviews and knowledge of the game are so spot on . Really looking forward to your reviews on each of the WC matches. Keep it going Tim.
Yeah same here, always such a good insight and even into this. I hadn't a notion how it had gotten this way but this was quite educational on that front!
All real Irish rugby fans appreciate the friendship and support from England rugby over the years, from travelling to Dublin during the dark days of the Troubles when our ‘Celtic brethren’ refused, to most recently supporting our World Cup bid when Wales and Scotland wouldn’t - all banter aside, world rugby needs a strong England. They’ll be back.
Means a lot to read comments like this. Rugby is for sure at it's best when every team is firing at it's best. Us England fans will be cheering on our team no matter what, but when we inevitably get knocked out, I know we'll all be cheering for an Irish WC victory.
SA fan here. This was really well said. I love what you said about “rugby apologizing for itself”. If we keep tampering with the game to satisfy everyone we will eventually lose what we all love about the game. You can’t remove risk from rugby. That part of what makes it so compelling. Great job. Good insights!
As a German loving Rugby I have to say that it was very interesting that you brought up Hans Peter Wild (the founder of Capri Sun btw). However the reason for him pulling founding out of the German Rugby federation (DRV) is only partly to do with World Rugby. One issue he had was that you’re not allowed to own more than one professional rugby club and he wanted to do that with german team in order for them to play in European competition. However he also had major disagreements with the DRV one the direction of rugby in Germany which is why you can’t entirely blame World Rugby for it.
As an England fan, this is perhaps the single most important video that’s come across my screen in years. Wish you could chuck this on a big screen at Twickers 24/7 for the big wigs at the RFU to watch over and over and sort their act out. Class video Tim, keep making mega stuff
You are so right about the RFU needing to shoulder the entire blame for the state rugby in England. They had a golden opportunity after winning the WC back in 2003 to lay the foundations for the future of the game in the country but totally blew it by sitting back and doing nothing … apart from sacking the visionary (at the time … not necessarily so now!) Clive Woodward - all because he presented the RFU with a blueprint to maintain England’s position at the top of World Rugby and, being principled, when they refused to adopt his suggestions, he resigned! Ever since then it has been slowly downhill!
Fair enough Tim did not specifically lay the blame at the RFU’s door but you need to read or listen between the lines. Tim was extremely diplomatic because he still has to deal with the RFU. However, I have to disagree with you where it comes to blaming the RFU. Okay you can point fingers at coaches and players but who appoints / rubber stamps those personnel …? None other than the same RFU corporate body. Successive CEOs have had opportunities to make significant changes to the England set up and what is now Premiership Rugby but have failed to make the most of those chances. At one point the RFU was the wealthiest Rugby Union in the World (not any more because of poor decisions but that could be the topic for another podcast!) The RFU, through its partnership with Premiership Rugby, could have done more to lessen the impact of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish going to the wall, which in turn might have prevented the top players being creamed off by wealthy French Clubs - this could have major implications for national selection if the same archaic rules are adhered to after the RWC. I would say the RFU is currently presiding over a sport, which is pretty much in crisis, most of it of its own making! I make no apology for saying this because I am passionate about this wonderful sport, which has given me and other family members so much. I fear for England Rugby going forward and just want to see the sport properly governed. Thank you Tim for providing wonderful thought-provoking podcasts, enabling all of us to participate. @@fergalbannon4614
As a French you're big problem is your championship, rugby stadium are empty , how you want interested young players like that? And how your clubs can win money for make progress young players? Same problem in new Zealand, australia, Wales, Scotland... There are no passion for yours championship, that's problem for your future. I France all stadiums are full every weekends, the next generation players are in our stadiums, the passion will be continue. I'm worried about international rugby, if all commonwealth nation don't react about that, you'll distanced by France in the future, and I don't like this idea, because we need rivalry for make progress rugby.
@@damienbessellere4579 It's the same in SA. Even the big schools games and uni games are televised. That's why there is so much depth available. If you watch the under 20s, the talent is exciting.
Very insightful video as always. I had no idea about how RFU reacted to the professional era. Here in Ireland the IRFU took total control of the provinces and we've been reaping the benefits for years.
In NZ, the RFU instituted the rule that if you wanted to play for your country, you had to play in NZ. Here every focus is national team first. Competetions are structured around building players up to play for their country.
Well said Tim. Your words are painful but is needed to be said, and said loudly and widely. The RFU is unfit for purpose, we need to restart professional rugby in England.
Ireland and Leinster fan here. Love your channel. You’ve really got me thinking about the problems in English rugby at the moment. I think that what you guys need is probably a completely new long term plan, perhaps 10 to 15 year plan, where the RFU takes full and complete charge of the game in England and puts the national team at the pinnacle, a place to be aimed for, a place where all other activities within the game are focused upon. What I’m talking about here is a complete paradigm shift. Perhaps the Irish model points the way. That would mean that individual club owners would become a thing of the past. Clubs would have to be basically community based entities. What with something over 50 million of a population, England should by rights, always be leading the way when it comes to international competition. Easier said than done of course but eminently doable all the same.
Sadly, the RFU don't have the billions of pounds to buy the clubs - so they instead have to negotiate with the clubs owners and the PRL. I think that is the context lost in this video, the 1995 RFU was made up of very different people from the 2003, the 2010, the 2019 etc. So over those 30 years, you can pick out big mistakes, but they cannot just be undone with the flick of a switch and it doesn't mean the organisation of each generation agreed with what was done before. But I agree, Ireland and France are good examples. Central contracts would be a big starting point. Gives the PRL money, stops arguments over internationals, allows the programming of big club rugby matches when internationals can play. Then you need to start trying to make the championship more of a draw. Gets people in more places watching more rugby, and helps to provide more of a pathway.
I do agree that there is an issue at the grassroots level and I think that one of issues stems from rugby almost exclusively being played in private schools. I grew up in South London and went to a public school and none of my friends or family have seen, heard of or been interested in rugby. I had discover rugby for myself and had I not loved the game could’ve easily lost interest. If rugby became more accessible for everyone (in private and public schools especially in London), rugby would be more diverse and could limit discrimination. Promotion and relegation is also a necessity in the prem
There is a huge issue at grass roots level union in England. The mainstay of the sport at schools level is also the biggest limitation at club and country level. Money & reach. Like it or not, exposure to participation in Rugby Union is (almost by design) limited to private school children, whose parents - through resources rather than aptitude - often also tend to shape the sport, and generally in wholly predictable and unambitious ways. English Rugby League is where so much can be learned - not in terms of the national game, but most definitely in terms of integration between schools and RL Academies. In a geography which could not face stronger recruitment pressures from Football, four English counties manage to consistently provide some of the world’s leading players and leading club teams. And why? Because class/wealth filters almost do not exist - and wealthy dad’s do not shape the experience for their sons. Sure, sponsors are always welcome - but NOT at the strategic and directional levels of the sport. Apart from Ireland, where a degree of the private school production-line remains, most nations have now smashed that founding ethic - most notably in South Africa, where the sport was once entirely the preserve of wealthy blonde white boys - the pool of potential players now spans virtually the entire society. And what an inexhaustible conveyor-belt of world-class players they now have! England now needs to re-form it’s mindset to something very similar - as Scotland, Wales and France have moved substantially towards a over the last 20 years. And the first move must surely be to pay-off visionless “good chaps” like Bill Sweeney, Steve Grainger, and especially Simon Massie-Taylor. Who elects the electors is now one of the biggest issues in English Rugby. And - as you already noted, Tim - none of those particular turkeys are EVER likely to vote for Christmas.
@@dulls8475. I suspect that Nathan did not actually mean discrimination in terms of conscious racial exclusion - but more in terms of unconscious or passive barriers to socio-economic diversity. The failure to address this in England is arguably the main reason why SA, N/Zealand and France have stolen a significant march on us since 2003.
@@mikegray8776 In other words imagined discrimination. A cancer in our society. This self flagellation is the reason for our social decline. England has done more to address this self destructive thinking than any other nation and if we keep on doing it we will destroy all the reasons that make this country a good place to live in. 1984 was a warning to us not an instruction. It is called "wrong think".
I knew all the story that has been the demise of English rugby, but when you put it all together like that it paints a pretty stark picture! Death by a thousand cuts…
@DunG650Yeah that’s what’s shocking about the Boks, is that Etzebeth, Pollard, Kolisi, Kitshoff etc were part of that era… Leadership with a clear vision form a critical part of any team.
As a Scotland fan, it’s cyclical. I’ve put up with England fans telling me Scotland needed punted from 6 nations. England always produce young talent and with right coaching you’ll be back.
I know how you feel, we went through years of low performance with the French team (about 2013-2018). Not saying you should expect the same with England, just saying this can happen. England will be back at the top sooner rather than later I think but probably not for this WC. The way I dealt with those years of nothing with France was just be patient, support the team anyway and appreciate each time they seem to improve something, really anything.
Found your channel recently and I honestly feel your passion for the game. This channel is quickly becoming my favourite rugby channel and I never thought I'd say this to an Englishman... but I feel for you man.
Mike Catt was my trainee Aircon draughtsman at a company Ventline in Port Elizabeth for about a year in about 1990. I could see he was destined for greater things. Love your passion.
On point.. Love the passion you have for the gave, and very insightful information about rugby as whole. As a Fijian, I can say we have to much overloaded passion for the game that needs to be shared for the benefit of the game. Best regards!
Your are right Tim, and every game for the first time a new french player arrive in the national team, Galtier is used to congrats the club and managers of the little towns or villages who formed the young !
Just found your channel. Really enjoyed the content. Been watching and playing in and around Cornwall since at least '91. Son now plays for a local Cornish team. Son is mixed race. I know it's just our experience and can appreciate it may not be across the board, but my boy has never been subject to any racism by his opponents and is treated as simply one of the team by mates. I still feel that rugby is a very inclusive sport and can be enjoyed by anyone who's willing to turn up. Not saying Ugo et al are wrong, but in our experience racism has never been an issue. I still believe rugby is a wonderful sport which teaches young people team work, resilience, respect, fun and fitness all at the same time. I found the info about the French systems very enlightening. Wasn't aware this was how it is and has been run - it's obvioulsy working. The French team is simply outstanding and I'm quite disappointed N'Tamack won't be there! From a new sub, please keep up the very good work!!
I think Ugo and others have a career agenda. As this video suggests, let's SHOUT about what rugby is good at and not try to find more topics to do the sport down.
Hi Tim, Great video and spot on - the RFU have been asleep at the wheel for years... I played in the premiership at the time when it turned professional... in those first years, all of the clubs struggled financially and it's never been fixed - just subscribed.
In France, we had about 12 years of bad results, it was very painful, but the French rugby federation changed the rules, namely that the clubs had the obligation to train young people, the current French team is the result of this training obligation. I really hope that English rugby will raise its head, because the six nations without a competitive English team is less good. England is a great nation, no doubt you will find solutions. It takes time to raise up.
In South Africa our traditional rugby strength was our amateur clubs in each town. However SA Rugby realised when we went professional that the gulf became to big and whilst we have somewhat lost that club system (sadly) they invested heavily in university competition where players are essentially professional at the age of 18. It has served us well over the last 15 years.
Good listen, thanks.. As I see it as a South African, World Rugby needs a good English league and a competitive English national team.. The current team feels like it has too few weapons to threaten the defenses..
Eddie Jones laid out some of these things last year. He also criticised RFUs obsession with private schools in the South of England at the expense of growing the game across ALL schools. It wasn’t long afterwards that Eddie gave up and decided to move back to Oz. Behind closed doors, I can guarantee that they had the knives out soon after… but Eddie was smart, held out for his payoff…
I find coaching in England in general is very very strict and very risk averse. Coaches prefer experienced players well past their best than taking a risk with young players and actually coaching young players to fulfill their potential. I lived and played in NZ for a few years and the freedom given to the players to play the game that is in front of them is something I rarely see in England. For many years now the England team always struggle to turn a game around when things start going wrong in the game and I think the coaches are to blame due to their risk averse mentality that seems to shackle the players to a game script.
hi im from tkt nz our team king country we lucky to have martin johnson play for us before he played for england got spotted by sir colin meads who said hes a tough bugger
Thank you for this, l am at this moment still in dispear with the English team. I have been recently to Twickenham 3 times. I have done my best to cheer the guys on nearly lost my voice after the Wales game and finally Fiji. But the last 15 mins of the Fiji game felt like I was at a funeral it went so quite awaiting what seemed enevitable. When I have seen the talent that seems to be wasted by not letting indeviduals play to there strengths from club to country it's so frustrating. Most of the new, hope I have has left for France. I will keep cheering but my hope is running out, thanks again for your clarity I've now subscrbed
Irish fan here, but more importantly a rugby fan. Interesting and thought provoking video Tim. Your take on rugby is refreshing, with it's ethos, it's values at the core of all that you say. I hope that you inspire a movement for change.
Just subscribed to this channel a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I'm absolutely loving it. I'm a massive fan of international rugby (Ireland) and I have to say I cannot get enough of these reviews. Looking forward to lots more with the world cup about to start. Thank you Tim and keep them coming.
You are a proper rugby bloke, its the game we play and look to the pros and national sides as heros/best - and those that manage that have to be better. Keep doing what you are doing and saying what you are saying.
Thanks Tim, great summary of where we are, which is rock bottom and unacceptable on so many levels. I love this country and our rugby team and I’m sure we’ll find a way though the mire soon, we need to expand our sports appeal across the country, its stuck in a rut at the minute.
Great points, the game in this country needs radical structural reform. What's happened to English rugby is the same as what happened to English football but football in this country seems to be on a route to redemption of sorts. Rugby, however, is well and truly stuck, the players are joyless and seem to be carrying a great burden. Also, I don't think Borthwick is going to solve these issues, he was a poor captain in his playing days and is an even poorer coach. He knows rugby but he doesn't understand people.
I can only agree with you Tim. Especially on your point that rugby is giving into every little whim and alienating the main fan base. Love your passion especially during your holiday 😅. Keep the videos coming.
When people (the Americans I work with in particular) look at the UK through the lens of the culture wars I often say that the UK is not racist, it’s just very classist. We see this is so many walks of life and you Mr Eggchaser have given me yet another example. Good analysis.
Snobbery absolutely permeates throughout every aspect of our culture. Even a simple promotion at the bottom end of the pay scale has some people thinking they're above everyone.
Ireland is Leinster New zealand crusaders France Toulouse England spread out across starting 15, did better when Saracens had bulk of starting 15 Another great video man thanks 👏
Tim, You are spot on with your analysis. At the end of the 2003 World Cup, Clive Woodward set out an agenda to build on his success, but the RFU ignored it and then fell out with Woodward. He left and has never been involved with the RFU since. What a complete waste of the most successful manager in our history. The RFU should hang it's head in shame, but then their self interest knows no bounds..
Love the channel Tim, the inner rage at what is going on in English rugby, and world rugby as a whole is clear in your voice. I can sympathize as someone from the other side of Offa,s dyke, I have a crumb of comfort for English fans , it,s far worse this side !,same thing though , too many people looking at the top of the pyramid and not the grass roots of the game. And world rugby is a closed shop, that never wants the game to grow, we should all want a time when Georgia, Romania, the USA lift the Webb Ellis trophy, thats how rugby as a whole get,s stronger, by more competition ,not the the attitude of keeping most of the money for the so called top tier nations, at the expence of other smaller nations. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have always been treated poorly despite so many talented players being produced in those Islands. And as for the English team in 2003, well it hurts me to say, but you had a once in a generation sqaud of players, where the reserve team would have made it into the quarter finals at least !,and a coach who would not leave any stone unturned in finding that someting extra, it was just a great period for English fans.
As a Jersey supporter, it certainly does take a lot away from the enjoyment of the Championship, knowing that no matter how well you play, it essentially means nothing at the end of the season. Just us and Ealing smashing every team in the league every year with no reward.
@Farmlandsfallfan Jersey regularly get between 1-2k every week and can reach 3k if a prem team is over for pre season. Not sure about Ealing. I get that they might not have the facilities and fan bases to be a sustainable prem club, but at least give them the chance. If they get pumped every week and come straight back down, then so be it.
Just discovered the channel today. Great stuff, Tim, couldn't agree more with everything said. This game has been my passion since falling in love with it watching the 87 World Cup, but I really fear for it as a sustainable 'watchable' sport. The lack of vision around the game is perplexing.
As ever love your content and looking forward to daily World Cup posts. In Ireland we have been building the sport from the school system upwards ( not without its inequities but it is has really grown . I coach in a rural club in mid Munster in hurling country five years ago we lucky if we could get one team out at each age group , now we and also surrounding clubs field 3 teams , unusually for Ireland something is well run
Fantastic points there Tim. Rugby needs an administrative overhaul. I'll never forget that 2003 final. I was on my 14 month round the world backpacking trip and watched the game live with a load of English and Australians in a bar in Cusco, Peru. What a party it was!
Top vid. Can't comment too much on English rugby but your comments resonate a lot for this kiwi who's had a front row seat to the decline of rugby in NZ over the past 25 years
Like your blog/channel. Balanced and passionate (or is that oxymoronic?). No pointless profanities and rattling on about how hard we were/are. Keep up the good work. I really want England to shock in this WC. Good shock.
Last 6 games- 1 win, scored 7 tries and conceded 23. We have scored over 20 only once, and stopped the opposition scoring over 20 only once. We are tier 2
You rugby knowledge is infinitely more than I will ever know or understand and I love your channel and your evident passion for the game is infectious . I look forward to your videos, it keeps me excited about this game that I have never played but love to watch. I’m looking forward to your analysis of the upcoming World Cup as much as I am watching the AB’s advance in the tournament 🤞
Just found the channel and loving the content. Agree with all that you’ve said here. Only consolation for me is that we are witnessing 3 of the best teams we’ve ever seen in France, SA and Ireland going into this World Cup. Hopefully someone in the RFU wakes up and comes up with the roadmap to get us back to the top with these teams. Keep it up!
Perhaps the 6 Nations should become a mirror of the French Top 14 system: a two tier system with regulation that includes other European nations as well as South Africa. South African teams are also experiencing financial issues, for example the Stormers is in administration. Ultimately it is a reflection of bigger societal and governmental problems.
This is my favourite rugby channel. You give decent and fair analysis all the time. You also address off the field issues too. Keep up the good work and enjoy the World Cup.
Excellent analysis. A sad state from have to provide it, but commentary like yours might help the leadership wake up. Great suggestions made. I hope someone is listening.
As a froggy supporter, I really appreciate your approach to rugby… and I commend your willingness to try to understand and always suggest ways to improve this English rugby which has fallen so low… that even I do not understand. I manage to grasp thanks to you that the evil is deeper and structural than it is cyclical... And if indeed the work of incitement and detection of young players is badly done by the RFU... You are not out of the woods yet! What seems to validate your vision of a slow but inevitable descent with a few bursts is what this team has become with Stuart Lancaster. I really appreciated this trainer and his vision of an ultra dynamic game. And I did not understand how England was able to get out of its World Cup in the group stage when the game project was new and ambitious. Was he already too ambitious for English rugby which was beginning to decline? Maybe. Still, you are there.
This was a great video and really got me thinking. My dad played for both Llanelli and The Police back in the amateur days of the 70's. My brother was a Welsh schoolboy. I started playing at 6 for Cambridge, went to Millfield School on a Rugby scholarship at 12, joined Bath and was in the old Engoand BT Cellnet development system by 14. I signed a pro contract at 16 with Bath and made 7 England u18 appearances. My "career" in Rugby ended at 19 with a destroyed knee. I have nothing but love for the game abs it's been a defining part of my family for decades however I stayed away from the game for many of the past 20 years. My 10 year old son joined the local Rugby club last winter. The coaches and staff are amazing and do an incredible job but discussions with them have had me concerned with the future of the sport that my son has just fallen in love with in England. This video did a superb job of summarising the issues and suggesting potential avenues to correct it. It won't be a quick fix but the RFU has to acknowledge that with the recent folding of top tier clubs and poor attendances at matchs the current system is detrimental to English Rugby.
9:37 The day before Eng vs Fiji game, there was on Friday the Springboks vs All Blacks match. Not a spare seat to be had, fully sold out at Twickenham stadium. My brother had a ticket near the top of the stands behind the posts. Weeks before the game he was getting E mails to buy his ticket for double. He would not sell. At the match the stands were packed with supporters wearing green and gold colours.
Stumbled across your videos. What a breath of fresh air. Thank you. Please do not discount the woman and young girls playing and participating at grass roots level. Exactly what this beautiful game provides the young boys it also provides young girls a great sense of comradely interaction much needed in a world of intrusive social media. My brother has allowed his girls to join a club and they are absolutely loving it equally for the sport as well as the sense of team. It’s a wonderful destruction and they are more passionate fans than the boys are! As a South African I appreciate your insightful analysis of just how good they were against the old foe. As a one man show you are doing a great service to rugby. Well done.
From a New Zealanders who's just stumbled onto your channel. You are definitely spot on with everything you've just said. In order for there to be long term development, you've got to give back to the grass roots. I thoroughly enjoyed your content.
Was saying to my oldest pal (former IRB employee) at Kingsholm on New Year's Eve that professionalism has ruined rugby in the UK. Needs a new vision. Thanks for taking on that subject! Just wanted to say a massive thanks for such great insightful vids! As a rugby nerd your channel is brilliant!
good video mate - well done Fiji a great moment. I think we're on the first plane home, the Argies will hammer us and I'm worried one of Samoa or Japan will do us as well.
L done on that vid mate, that is one of the best 'state of the union' breakdowns I've heard. Totally agree with your comments and I genuinely fear for rugby in England if this carries on. A breakaway administration from the RFU with a more altruistic slant?
Tim, you are my favourite Rugby channel on RU-vid, and I totally agree with most of your points. I believe that the RFU had the opportunity to buy all the premiership clubs after Covid; this could have meant an Irish-style set-up, where the international and clubs were symbiont. That was a massive opportunity wasted and without a real shake-up and injection of cash, it is difficult to see where England go from here.
Excellent summation Tim, and thoughtful analysis of the issues that over the last 20 years have led England rugby to this current dark and depressing place. You, Phil and JB on your Eggchasers podcasts echo the thoughts of most rugby-loving people. I am an ex-player, referee, Level 3 coach and County Administrator and it beggars belief that those at the RFU have been asleep at the wheel for such a long time now. Your analogy with the the NFL is apposite, a sport that I watch and enjoy avidly, and which is one of the most dangerous and exhilarating games in the world. As you say, they recognised a long time ago that the way to market and grow professional sport - which we all know is part of the entertainment business - is to attract sponsors to the whole League set-up, rather than like rugby allow the Clubs to adopt a dog-eat-dog philosophy where only the strongest survive. The NFL know how to do entertainment - I watch the Super Bowl and often forget during the half-time show (it’s so good) that there is a second half of the game to watch! England’s rugby performances and extreme risk-averse rugby, currently do zero to keep even we aficionados interested. I like you, now want France to lift the RWC - a team full of generational talents (and in DuPont probably have the best player to have ever played the game) - a team that play ‘no-fear’ rugby in style, but with a hard edge when required. Allez Les Bleus … how I would love to be shouting ‘Come On England’ … but they have worn me down to the point where I have nowhere to go now … but Paris!
Your final message to the RFU is spot on One of the first things I did as a player and do now as a supporter (57 years old) when moving to a new town is to visit the local rugby club Almost immediately you have a new circle of like minded individuals who are more than eager to bring you in to their fold
Will you be going to any games at the World Cup? (If so, it would be very cool to see a video outside the stadiums interviewing fans, etc. before the game)
Remember the WC when you beat the AB's in the semis and lost to the Boks in the final. Many thought Eng may not make it past the quarters. You arrived in shambles but then showed lots of character as the tournament progressed. We (Bok fans) need a strong Eng side. Travelling to Twickenham just has to be every bit as exiting and unpredictable as AB's in NZ.
Well said! We should recognise that a great deal of the passion for rugby is the physical contact and interaction and we should not shy away from that. I’m still trying to understand the situation reference former players saying they weren’t looked after regarding dangers; I knew from the day I started at eleven that there were dangers and I took those on board but never made a living from the game. Yes, we must look to protect players but that is everywhere in the world. Those in charge have led us poorly in many ways and we’ve been led by donkeys. Too many short sighted decisions and too little planning for the future. Money has been at the forefront of too many decisions, rather than for the benefit of the game. Oh and when I started playing I was at grammar school and our fixture list was from secondary modern schools to greatest public schools, so no exclusion. We need a complete revision of the set up.
Brilliant video, great content and very accurate. The RFU need a serious / total overhaul. Your points are spot on, not only for the top end of the game but the tier below and everything to grass roots. My rugby journey started at a small grass routes club in Yorkshire in a farmers field. If the RFU don't address rugby's image and use it's strengths then the grass routes shrink. Once they shrivel up the routes in to rugby are greatly reduced and the overall spot is reduced.
My son played rugby (now is into Basketball) in a small town in France (Orthez). When I went to training there were 5 teams training. All age groups plus seniors. No real sponsorship. Just the community. Great local support from all. On my second visit to training I was asked to show the kids (10 year olds) kicking skills. Have never played rugby in my life as I'm a GAA man / Irish thus. I did it but recognised that the actual real trainers will do anything to get the community involved. England need to step back to the community not money (as an Irish man I hope they dont) but back to the roots is the future and the past
Well done on your great insight and unbias comments and thoughts. It's sad how England have come undone and I can't help but think that the RFU have made some bad decisions in terms of timing on coaches around 2015 and 2023 editions. But the good news is that '23 hasn't started yet so maybe a surprise is still to come. I'm hoping that the boks will defend our title but there's still a few games ahead before we know who takes the most anticipated title since it's inception. To be a beating man is to be a brave man!
Agree grassroots development will define long term success but there is no substitute for having a great coach with vision/passion and the synergy he has with his appointed captain. The right coach/captain combo can overcome any obstacle in their way
I think you are bang on about te 2019 England Team. As a welshmen we daw it uear after year, especially early on in Gatlands Tenure, where he used predominately Ospreys playears as the bulk of his squad. At the time the Ospreys were doing relatively well in Europe for a Welsh side and they brought that through in to the international squad with regards to knowing how to win and grinding out a result against superior teams on paper !!!
Great video as always. England could conceivably make it to semifinal because of the ridiculous way they draw the pool stages but it still won’t mean your wrong in anything you’ve said. First review of games I look for. Keep up the great work.
🙏 really appreciate it. I think regardless of the outcome this world cup, these points stand. It's bigger than players or a coach (although I have some issues there too)
No worries my friend… as a les bleus supporter we had ten years of deep struggles … we had to eat some dark bread with differents headcoach and thé confidence of players was just terrible … it’s like a vicious circle but england team will find light again little by little . and we will have a fight against our best enemy soon again!!
I learned to play rugby at Blackrock College in Dublin, and after my family migrated to Australia, I played junior rugby in Melbourne and managed to play under 16s, under 18s, and under 20s for the state of Victoria. This is where I first learned about rugby touring and the great and lifelong friendships that are made. I played 1st grade and after I hung up the boots I coached juniors and seniors in Sydney New South Wales. Back in the day, the people in charge were all volunteers and well-meaning, and there is no doubt that the game needed to become more professional and better organized. Here and now in Australia, we compete with a lot of sports for young athletes. The thing that swings it is money. The problem with making it all about money is that the money always ends up in the hands of the few at the top. Most rugby guys I know would rather that the funds were spread out across the grassroots to develop the sport . Of course, we all want our national teams to win, but most rugby people will not lose their shit if their team does not get up, so long as there is a drink and a discussion afterward. Rugby is about fellowship and a code of decent behavior to others. Many opportunities that I got in my professional life came about because I was dealing with rugby guys. I am not in favour of the corporate running the game and calling it ' entertainment' - in my mind, it's all about boofy blokes talking to other boofy blokes about boofy bloke things.
I definitely agree with the advent of Rugby becoming professional a lot of countries dealt with it better than most. With the English and French Provincial/Premiership Rugby being privately owned it has been great for the Competition but not necessarily for the National side. New Zealand probably has one of the best Rugby Systems from Age Grade to Secondary School to Provincial then Secondary but financially they can’t compete with the European Clubs. What you said about Pete Roswell, Clive Woodward and his vision is the most telling comment. Every National Rugby Union has their own unique set of challenges but unless you have a vision of the bigger picture and a long term plan short term successes won’t count for much. While I am happy for Fiji’s win over England the FRU has been financially insolvent and bereft of any long term vision since Ben Ryan coached the 7’s team to Olympic Gold. I think one big factor for Fiji improving I. 15’s has been the exposure of our local based players to higher level rugby in the Super Rugby Competition with the addition of the Drua. My only fear is that the boys get poached to higher paying clubs overseas who dictate the terms on their national Duty selection. Hats off to them for getting those contracts and looking out for their families futures but unless World Rugby does something about getting your best players for national representative rugby then the game as a whole will suffer. Anyways here’s to a good World Cup for all teams, I’m sure that England can climb back and show their true capabilities, the French did in 2011 so there will always be a surprise or two. Cheers from Fiji, love your content, looking forward to more during the RWC.
From the way you’ve described the situation Will Carling (where is he now) was absolutely and completely 100% correct in his assessment. And no one listened to him then and that’s got us to where we are now - precisely no where.
Well said mate! I support the springboks but have grown up and played my childhood rugby in England - I would love nothing more than to see actual excitement and growth of rugby in England and accross the world, what you mention are all things that can and hopefully will be improved one day! Keep doing what your doing! Also a massive UFC fan here, the point about Dana is so true, someone like him who doesn’t apologise and shows actual excitement and defence of MMA is why the sport has grown so much!
Your passion and love for the game really comes through Tim. Maybe a disastrous WC might force them to bring about the changes that you are advocating for.
