#360rugby: Sarries on fire, rugby demonstrates greed

No team has ever won all nine of their matches in the European Cup, but judging by results this weekend Saracens could be the first when they take on Racing 92 in the final.

Both teams predictably fielded weaker teams in their domestic leagues to ensure that their starting XVs were fresh for battle come May 14^th, but the results were very telling of their respective mindsets.

The Londoners will enter the final on a high, having put Worcester to the sword in a convincing 19-43 away victory that demonstrated supreme confidence in their system and a first class club mentality.

Racing meanwhile succumbed to a 33-27 loss at Brive in a match where the European finalists had two men sin-binned for indiscipline.

It must be noted at this point that any team playing in a cup final with Dan Carter pulling the strings has every chance of victory, but with Saracens’ extra experience of knockout European rugby coupled to their irrepressive form this season this scribe has hedged bets on the Englishmen.

PROPOSALS FOR MORE GAMES ARE IRRESPONSIBLE

This week the chief decision makers of the world’s top rugby nations converged in Dublin with the ludicrous and downright greedy intention to fit even more matches into the rugby calendar.

The idea has been masqueraded as an effort to create a ‘global rugby season’ where internationals would happen a month later in July, meaning the touring side wouldn’t have to field an under strength team due to domestic club commitments.

On top of this northern hemisphere clubs are demanding that international and domestic weekends are non-concurrent, so that they do not have to field weakened sides during the Six Nations. In practice this would mean a seven-week break from domestic rugby while the Six Nations was in progress.

On paper this sounds like a good deal for non-internationals who would get more rest. But the reality is that all players would have to train and pay for an extra three weeks of the year. We won’t even get started on the proposed annual final between the European and Super Rugby champions, which would occupy a further week for involved players.

With all this extra rugby, no doubt generating huge revenues for the Blazer Brigade that run rugby, where are the players supposed to rest and recuperate? The average retirement age among professional rugby players is already in decline and the correlation with extra matches is clear to see. Cut the meaningless matches (including the semi-finals and finals of all league competitions) and let the players rest.

JONES MAY HAVE UNDERESTIMATED UNDERHILL

For the time being northern hemisphere teams will continue to name depleted summer training squads and Eddie Jones’ latest effort for England’s summer tour training camp followed suit.

The notable selections include recalled fly-half Danny Cipriani and his uncapped Sale teammate Mike Haley, who had been receiving interest from Ireland.

With seven other uncapped players being named for the camp in Brighton (the scene of Jones’ epic World Cup win over South Africa with Japan) Jones has demonstrated that he is prepared to take a gamble on new blood.

One surprising omission was that of Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill, who has been in the form of his life in the Pro12 and was tipped by many to earn his first senior cap against Australia.

The former England U18 captain’s tenacious play at the breakdown has drawn comparisons with the great David Pocock and it now looks likely that he will be named in England’s development squad to tour South Africa.

POPULARITY OF SEVENS IS ALREADY HAVING DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON 15s IN ASIA

This week the UAE’s chances of promotion to Division I of the Asia Rugby Championship may have been enhanced following Kazakhstan’s withdrawal from this year’s series.

The Kazak authorities sighted financial constraints as the reason behind the decision, as their funding had been channeled towards winning an Olympic medal with the sevens team instead.

The women’s team women’s team have also pulled out of the Asia 3 Nations and will also miss the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland next year.

It is a similar story line to one that could eventually be seen in cricket, where the emergence of the IPL has brought significant question marks over the validity of the 50-over ODI format.

Kazakhstan is a country with a proud rugby tradition and the decision to temporarily discard their fifteen-a-side team, although understandable due to the prestige of the Olympics, could be a telling sign as to the future of the game.

ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS PROVING MOST CHARITABLE SIDE IN UAE

Two UAE-based rugby charities have benefitted from a Dh21,000 donation from a rugby team set up in memory of a former team-mate.

Speranza 22, featuring players who have previously played for Abu Dhabi Harlequins, raise money for charity in memory of former Quins youth prospect Marco Speranza, who died in a plane crash in his native Argentina.

The capital players presented two cheques to the Mike Ballard Foundation and Try Rugby.

The Mike Ballard Foundation continues to help the American in his rehabilitation but is now also branching out to help others, while Try Rugby was set up by members of Quins to provide rugby to children with disabilities.

EXTRA TIME

After being dumped by the Australian Sevens squad Quade Cooper clearly had some steam to let off, and did it in style. The Mercurial fly-half showed why Toulon were prepared to spend big on the Wallaby with a devastating side-step that set up Ma’a Nonu’s score against Castres.