Why Toulon move would harm both French and English systems.
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has never been one to keep his thoughts to himself and his outspoken nature has led him to make the news once again. In the latest installment of Boudjellal bravado he has expressed a very serious desire to ditch the Top 14 and Toulon's french counterparts with the intention of competing in the Aviva Premiership.
The Top 14 has often been labelled as boring and stale despite the plethora of big names plying their trades there. Many put this down to the fact that big players only come to France for the money and because they already know their international careers are dying out, who because they have no interest in playing test rugby at all. Their are famous names throughout the league, Dan Carter at Racing, the Du Plessis brothers at Montpellier, Conrad Smith at Pau, to name a few, but it is Toulon who house the most superstars within their ranks. Habana, Halfpenny, Steffon and Delon Armitage, Vermeulen, and Gorgodze are just a few of the giants of rugby that play their rugby on the French riviera in Toulon.
Despite their stellar squad, and three consecutive European titles, the side based in the South of France have found life far from plain sailing in the Top 14. One would assume that a team requesting to move to a new league is finding life easy in their current system, this is not the case with Toulon. They currently sit in 4th in a very competitive table, six points separate top team, Racing and seventh placed Montpellier. Boudjellal's team's European credentials are exceptional but with just one Top 14 championship under their belts this side of the 21st century there is clearly still a lot more to conquer closer to home.
It is surely mere speculation but if Toulon were to cross the channel the knock-on effects would be massive. English rugby currently employs a salary cap (although the honesty of some Aviva Premiership clubs have been questioned) one which Toulon would almost certainly surpass should they bring their current lineup to the likes of Kingsholm and Franklin's Gardens. As such something would have to give, either Toulon make drastic cuts, or the RFU abolishes it's current system. I certainly can't see the latter being the case, especially considering the success of the rule which has led to the increase of home grown talent, the first fruits of which Eddie Jones is beginning to reap, Maro Itoje and Jack Clifford are just a few.
There is then the issue of the overseas players rule in which England only permits players playing for teams in the Aviva Premiership to feature in the international side. Toulon have two of the players on their books which have attracted a lot of attention regarding this issue. The Armitage brothers, Delon and Steffon, are top quality players but the fact they play their rugby across the channel means they were left out of the England set-up. If Toulon were to play in the Premiership would this then mean the Armitages were free for selection by Eddie Jones? There is no obvious answer, and this is just one of the problems a league switch for Toulon would have its difficulties.
Furthermore, the Aviva Premiership is hardly perfect as it is. The one relegation spot, and the vast abyss between Premiership and Championship quality has led to plenty of criticism. The current twelve sides are probably England's finest, but one is ultimately going to be relegated allowing a far weaker side to replace them. London Welsh's horrific one point season last year must be avoided at all costs, not only was it embarrassing for the Exiles themselves but also the Premiership as a whole. I suggest English rugby clears up this problem first before they start allowing any of our french friends to join the Aviva.
A switch would hardly benefit the French league either, although french fans, like any, are loyal to their respective teams, as a country it gives them immense pride to boast the European Champions for the past three years. The Top 14 has set out its stall, it wants to attract top quality players in the hope of bringing in the fans with them, and Toulon are one of the best teams to watch in terms of stars. The french love their fast paced, flare play, with which Toulon are associated, and although English rugby followers love that kind of play too, there is a more of an appreciation for the close quarter, tactical battles here in the Premiership. Toulon with their current mentality, players, and audacity are far more suited in their current conditions to anything the English system can offer.
This isn't to say we wouldn't appreciate a team like Toulon playing in the Aviva regularly, but for all the effort it would take to make such a switch is it really worth it for anyone? In my opinion, no, and truth be told I would be stunned if the RFU were to even consider such a bold request in the slightest. It's also hard to see anyone other than Boudjellal being keen either.
Henry Justice
The Top 14 has often been labelled as boring and stale despite the plethora of big names plying their trades there. Many put this down to the fact that big players only come to France for the money and because they already know their international careers are dying out, who because they have no interest in playing test rugby at all. Their are famous names throughout the league, Dan Carter at Racing, the Du Plessis brothers at Montpellier, Conrad Smith at Pau, to name a few, but it is Toulon who house the most superstars within their ranks. Habana, Halfpenny, Steffon and Delon Armitage, Vermeulen, and Gorgodze are just a few of the giants of rugby that play their rugby on the French riviera in Toulon.
 |
| Halfpenny is one of Toulon's many stars. |
Despite their stellar squad, and three consecutive European titles, the side based in the South of France have found life far from plain sailing in the Top 14. One would assume that a team requesting to move to a new league is finding life easy in their current system, this is not the case with Toulon. They currently sit in 4th in a very competitive table, six points separate top team, Racing and seventh placed Montpellier. Boudjellal's team's European credentials are exceptional but with just one Top 14 championship under their belts this side of the 21st century there is clearly still a lot more to conquer closer to home.
It is surely mere speculation but if Toulon were to cross the channel the knock-on effects would be massive. English rugby currently employs a salary cap (although the honesty of some Aviva Premiership clubs have been questioned) one which Toulon would almost certainly surpass should they bring their current lineup to the likes of Kingsholm and Franklin's Gardens. As such something would have to give, either Toulon make drastic cuts, or the RFU abolishes it's current system. I certainly can't see the latter being the case, especially considering the success of the rule which has led to the increase of home grown talent, the first fruits of which Eddie Jones is beginning to reap, Maro Itoje and Jack Clifford are just a few.
There is then the issue of the overseas players rule in which England only permits players playing for teams in the Aviva Premiership to feature in the international side. Toulon have two of the players on their books which have attracted a lot of attention regarding this issue. The Armitage brothers, Delon and Steffon, are top quality players but the fact they play their rugby across the channel means they were left out of the England set-up. If Toulon were to play in the Premiership would this then mean the Armitages were free for selection by Eddie Jones? There is no obvious answer, and this is just one of the problems a league switch for Toulon would have its difficulties.
Furthermore, the Aviva Premiership is hardly perfect as it is. The one relegation spot, and the vast abyss between Premiership and Championship quality has led to plenty of criticism. The current twelve sides are probably England's finest, but one is ultimately going to be relegated allowing a far weaker side to replace them. London Welsh's horrific one point season last year must be avoided at all costs, not only was it embarrassing for the Exiles themselves but also the Premiership as a whole. I suggest English rugby clears up this problem first before they start allowing any of our french friends to join the Aviva.
A switch would hardly benefit the French league either, although french fans, like any, are loyal to their respective teams, as a country it gives them immense pride to boast the European Champions for the past three years. The Top 14 has set out its stall, it wants to attract top quality players in the hope of bringing in the fans with them, and Toulon are one of the best teams to watch in terms of stars. The french love their fast paced, flare play, with which Toulon are associated, and although English rugby followers love that kind of play too, there is a more of an appreciation for the close quarter, tactical battles here in the Premiership. Toulon with their current mentality, players, and audacity are far more suited in their current conditions to anything the English system can offer.
This isn't to say we wouldn't appreciate a team like Toulon playing in the Aviva regularly, but for all the effort it would take to make such a switch is it really worth it for anyone? In my opinion, no, and truth be told I would be stunned if the RFU were to even consider such a bold request in the slightest. It's also hard to see anyone other than Boudjellal being keen either.
Henry Justice
Comments
Post a Comment