1
Wasps statement as 3 ex-Prem clubs bid to enter Championship
By PA
Wasps, London Irish and Worcester have now each applied for a place in next season’s expanded Championship ahead of Sunday’s deadline for expressions of interest.
It raises the prospect of the trio of ‘phoenix clubs’ eventually returning to the Gallagher Premiership, which has reintroduced promotion and relegation, after entering administration in the 2022-23 campaign.
Wasps are looking to re-establish themselves in Kent or Greater London having left High Wycombe for Coventry in 2014.
“It has been a challenging two years for Wasps, during which time we have worked tirelessly to rebuild a great club,” said Wasps owner Christopher Holland in a statement released on Thursday.
“From securing key assets to laying the groundwork for a sustainable future, our efforts have always been focused on returning Wasps to a league that shares our values and to be able to compete at the highest level.
“Submitting our expression of interest for Tier 2 is a key milestone in our recovery.”
London Irish remain in administration but their preferred bidder, Hokulani Ltd, confirmed on Wednesday that entry into the revamped Championship is being sought.
“We have officially submitted an expression of interest to the Rugby Football Union to join London Irish in the Tier 2 league,” said Daniel Thomas Loitz, the director and principle director of Hokulani Ltd.
“This is a major step in our journey to restore the club to the top level after 12 months of painful suspension.”
Worcester, who are also owned by Holland, confirmed on October 1 that they had begun the application process.
All teams hoping to play in the 2024-25 Championship, which is being enlarged by two to a 14-side league, must prove their financial viability, including the funds to pay off rugby creditors, as well as meet minimum operating standards.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
NZ age of dominance is all but over
3
Can New Zealand beat the world's best without Barrett at 10?
4
14 All Blacks released to play quarter-finals
5
Latest Comments
The next guy is probably on that list. The "too young" guys are all 23+, which is 2 years older than dc was when he got an ab start. Being that young did him no harm. He scored 20 against wales on debut. But dc was also a freak player and a few years into the good super rugby, when SA was involved, so not such a step up. A tough northern tour is not their time. Hopefully next year's super rugby will see one of them put their hand up.
Go to commentsBunting is delusional. The job is clearly too big for him. The Black Ferns have shown none to negative, "growth", as a team. Individuals may have progressed, true, but the team is a mess. They have been fully professional since 2022 but play like amateurs. We are back to 2021 NH tour vibes (onfield that is).
The granting of an historical 4 year full contract to Kennedy Tukuafu remains Bunting's most puzzling decision. At 26, she had offered little of the on-field quality deserving of such status. Her relegation v FRA was imminent imo & Bunting gets kudos for this decision. I would've tossed her completely, myself. In all tests this tour, she has been ineffective & doesn’t seem to have a point of difference (required of a loosie). Jackaling, high tackle rate, clean, carry, ???
Another puzzling selection is Bunting continuing to use our best 6 Alana Bremner 178cm & 77kg at lock in place of our best lock, Chelsea Bremner, 181cm & 88kg. Maia Roos at 179cm & 80kg needs a big body at her side. Neither she nor Alana are power locks.
I'd reshuffle the back 5 as follows:
4 Roos 5 Chelsea 6 Alana 7 Sae 8 Mikaele-Tuu with Olsen Baker bench impact. Alana is an option to cover lock, if required.
One huge issue I have with this team is that the same core backline that leaked a million tries from set play v ENG is taking the field. Sure, FRA got thrashed by CAN, but it's still FRA, quite capable of stepping up & blasting us. What will be different? Backfield comms? Midfield reads? Scary stuff.
Go to comments