Premiership Rugby insists it's business as usual despite coronavirus
Premiership Rugby are pressing ahead as planned with Sunday’s Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale Sharks and Harlequins in Manchester - and with its current Gallagher Premiership schedule.
Sports fixtures around the world have been called off due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. However, despite the postponement of three Guinness Six Nations matches and the indefinite suspension of the Guinness PRO14, English rugby authorities have insisted it is business as usual.
Gregor Townsend insists none of his Scotland's players have contracted coronavirus
In a statement released shortly after English football authorities decided to suspend all fixtures in its sport until at least April 3, Premiership Rugby stated: “The welfare of our fans, players and staff is our first concern and we are working in close contact with DCMS, Public Health England and World Health Organisation, following all the experts’ advice.
“Based on this advice, and in consultation with the teams, we have decided to run the Premiership Rugby Cup this Sunday at the AJ Bell Stadium, as planned.
"We will continue to work closely with government on a schedule for the remainder of the season, should the guidance on sporting events change.
"We will keep updating our plans with new information as it is released, and ensure our clubs and fans are updated with developments as soon as they happen.”
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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