Since we started giving rugby fans the latest rugby news in 2012, we have attempted to report the good, the bad and the ugly of our favourite sport. As we have published rugby results, rugby news and match reports we have seen our reputation grow and our reach on social media grow.
We are not alone in that growing presence via social media. Two that we have developed alongside are charities, My OddBalls, Movember and Balls to Cancer. Whenever, possible we have shared or retweeted. Their stories are powerful and relevant.
There is no doubt in our mind that these are three of the very best causes and that rugby shares that belief. This is the good.
That takes us to the bad and the ugly. It’s sad to report that one of our favourite competitions, the GKIPA Championship seems capable of representing both in rugby. This is the RFU’s premier competition yet it seems unsure as to its future. Nigel Melville, newly appointed to the RFU is investigating. To his credit he isn’t relying on Google, he is actually getting out to meet clubs. That is positive but it is against the back drop of bad and ugly.
The Championship stands accused of neglecting the basic principles of an employer – paying its employees, having a duty of care, providing a safe working environment to highlight three. The clubs’ appear to have financial weaknesses with recent examples Jersey and London Welsh. The promotion and relegation debate rages with the 2015/16 Champions Bristol struggling in the Premiership and releasing their Director of Rugby in the last few weeks.
Many rugby fans share a suspicion that the Championship could be further undermined if the Premiership was expanded by adding the current two top teams in the Championship, London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie; then having no relegation.
For the ugly we turn to the current Championship leaders London Irish. Their highly respected and experienced lock, George Robson sent before an RFU for grabbing an opponent’s balls - more accurately described as testicles. As we go to press, the disciplinary panel (contrary to Law 10.4[m]) heard him plead guilty and was given a six-week ban.