Championship Returns and More…….

Championship rugby returns this Friday, the three week hiatus or winter break, over.  Chinnor entertain title favourites, Ealing Trailfinders, the hosts raising the temperature through hooker, Alun Walker,  " Ealing have been at the top of the food chain for most of the decade....but we are hungry." Fighting talk.

The remaining five Championship fixtures are all on Saturday, including Cov v Doncaster at the BPA, 3pm.  So, hostilities resume on the field, but off the field, things are still heating up, almost the quiet before the storm.  Here's a rough update ( forgive me if I miss anything!). 

The desired 100+ signatories total required to trigger a call for an SGM, Special General Meeting from the clubs was passed with ease, the continued disquiet rumbling on, regarding bonuses, governance etc, take your pick. The resignation of RFU Chair, Tom Ilube, viewed as nothing less than a sacrifice by the clubs, was just that, too little.  The appointment of Sir Bill Beaumont as Interim Chair, just ratified by the RFU Council, is unlikely to appease. Sir Bill, fresh from his 8-year stint as head of World Rugby, overseeing falling playing numbers, constant law tweaks and changes and allowing Tier One nations to continue to treat Tier Two nations with disdain doesn't inspire confidence.  
The appointment statement advising of his desire to engage and visit many clubs to see what the issues are, whilst not a ' peace in our time' moment is a start.  However, it has to be said that Sir Bill is likely to find there are far, far more problems than who won the ' Wheelbarrow Raffle ' at his beloved Fylde. 
Meanwhile, it is rumoured that the ' other Bill', Sweeney, could possibly be leaving his post in April.   Why April you would be right to ask? Well, the Guinness Six Nations would be over, plenty of time for talks, schmoozing, ' pressing the flesh' or actively job mining his next high powered role, leaving behind the vitriol and wreckage of our great game. 

It's also worth noting that the initial letter requesting an SGM was rejected by the RFU as the letter contained " a number of inaccuracies " and that " it does not comply with the relevant requirements and is therefore invalid as a requisition for an SGM." 
To accept 24 hours this letter later in a U-turn , implies, or suggests that, once again, those in charge at the RFU failed to ' read the room.'

Buckle up everyone , it could get a bit bumpy.  Popcorn anyone?   I do not want to make fun of the above, but I love this game so much , the enjoyment I get from just being a small cog in it but I feel if we don't fight,  or stand our ground, the game is gone.