On the point of redemption

I have been almost always been talking of rugby in the context of Sri Lanka and Asia. Yet I thought of commenting on the English rugby scene which haunts most rugby supporters of the Lions. I will leave it to the reader to decide whether there are any parallels or anything to be learnt by those in charge at all levels of the local scene.

What is discussed in most rugby forums is of the crisis faced by England. This happens in the press as well as the pubs where many will assemble to watch a test match. Some reasons that seem to be indirectly attributed have a close resemblance to what we think happen only in Sri Lanka. That is the issue of releasing players for national representation. The crisis has reached a point that Premier Rugby Limited has agreed to relax some of the restrictions that have been in place. Premier Rugby is an umbrella group that fights for the rights of the rugby playing clubs. There has been no kindness among the group and the Rugby Foot ball Union in the past. An agreement that was in place between the RFU and Premier Rugby was that during the autumn England could have its players for three of the four tests. This means that a player cannot be selected for all four tests and he has to represent his club too. This would have also meant that England may not have their Captain for the match against the South Africans. The importance of playing for the club has always been a strong argument by Premier Rugby.

Following the two losses to New Zealand and the Argentinians they have decided to relax the restriction. What made Premier Rugby show these sudden acts of kindness?

The defeats of England not only in the last two matches but for a previous seven have affected the RFU financially. Since rugby became professional in England the clubs have been run by businessmen. Managing the teams they are there to ensure a safe return on investment. That being the case, when the RFU starts suffering Premier Rugby too can suffer. This is what has been understood now. Thus money is at the end of the act of kindness it seems. Money ,at the end, is the motivator to a clash that has been existent with PR calling the shots The downturn , however , has put some hope to England as with some peace the English Coach will have more options to select the better team.

The lesson to be learnt is that there is no one way traffic. The game will only survive and prosper through each understanding the position of the other. With the world cup being just ten months away England has to look more seriously to the future.Will this large hearted compromise be adequate to pull England out of the water?

England lost to a spirited Argentinian side in their last outing. This however was a defeat that was telling and crushing. Perhaps leaving England destructed. The performance is viewed seriously with the RFU deciding to review the continuation with Coach Robinson and postponed till after the two tests with South Africa. The need may be for the English to look at some drastic change in the rugby culture they are used to playing. The mere discontinuation of Robinson may not be the whole solution. May be England will be rethinking after this crisis finding it not so easy to replace a legacy and rugby system left back by Sir Clive Woodward. What Clive left was not only the big men in the forward set but also a budget that was not available to Robinson.

Just as much as England has been plagued with injuries and have been confronted with club vs. country issues they have been left with an era of Woodward which left a monster. Probably a monster which nobody wanted to deal with as it was what delivered the “World Cup”.

The losing of a number of players have not helped in the transition. After the defeat at the hands of Argentina the English coach believes that they have to improve their attack this week. With the restriction on release somewhat easing the problems Robinson will have more at his disposal to prove that England is no spent force. This will also help Robinson to defend his continuance when most are asking for his removal. This to some is not a chance to be taken with the World Cup at hand. England is looking ahead while being strategic than to allow the heart to rule the head as decisions are taken. Hard decisions will be taken if once again England slumps in the two test matches.

For Robinson and England who are looking up from the bottom of the barrel after eight losses, hopefully, will this be a starting point to redemption.