Champions???

[newport tiger]

I am slightly bemused as to why our fixture against Exeter is being billed as "Champions meet head on" we all know and admire the fact that Exeter are the current premiership holders but in whose eyes are we champions?

[voice of the crumbie]

Exeter are Premiership Champs and Tigers are Anglo Welsh Champs ergo champions meet.

[newport tiger]

So we win what can only be called the "Mickey mouse cup of rugby" and call ourselves champions, slightly embarrassing.

[Cagey Tiger]

So we win what can only be called the "Mickey mouse cup of rugby" and call ourselves champions, slightly embarrassing.

To us? Yes. To Tigers? Maybe. To marketing people? Anything to sell more tickets.

[ellis9]

So we win what can only be called the "Mickey mouse cup of rugby" and call ourselves champions, slightly embarrassing.

We are the Anglo Welsh Champions though. Just because you think it's a Mickey Mouse trophy, it doesn't mean we aren't the Champions of it does it?!

[Stu_F]

So we win what can only be called the "Mickey mouse cup of rugby" and call ourselves champions, slightly embarrassing.

We are the Anglo Welsh Champions though. Just because you think it's a Mickey Mouse trophy, it doesn't mean we aren't the Champions of it does it?!

So when Tigers play whoever won the A league last season then that too will be marketed as a "Clash of the Champions"?

[tigerburnie]

Tigers are my Champions, always have been

[ellis9]

So we win what can only be called the "Mickey mouse cup of rugby" and call ourselves champions, slightly embarrassing.

We are the Anglo Welsh Champions though. Just because you think it's a Mickey Mouse trophy, it doesn't mean we aren't the Champions of it does it?!

So when Tigers play whoever won the A league last season then that too will be marketed as a "Clash of the Champions"?

No. The A league isn't a senior competition is it?!

Before I get comments saying the AW isn't a senior competition, you're wrong. It is.

[Scott11]

Always nice to win silverware but the AWC is wendyballs Carabo Cup if we are all honest,great for up and coming players to get experience with good clubmen leading them

[Roly]

Before I get comments saying the AW isn't a senior competition, you're wrong. It is.

It is still supposed to be a developmental competition though isn't it?

And it used to be in the true sense - until the AP sides started to take it a bit more seriously as another route into Europe, then the Welsh teams got left behind and more senior AP players were fielded.

[Tigerbeat]

Before I get comments saying the AW isn't a senior competition, you're wrong. It is.

It is still supposed to be a developmental competition though isn't it?

And it used to be in the true sense - until the AP sides started to take it a bit more seriously as another route into Europe, then the Welsh teams got left behind and more senior AP players were fielded.

I have not known it to be a development competition. It is a fully recognised competition which some clubs have chosen to use upcoming players with a mix of experience or to replace players who have been taken away on international duty.
There is still Silverware up for grabs.

[ourla]

The vast majority of the Prem clubs would love to win it.

If you look at the list of winners all the big names are in there. Plus Gloucester.

That said, I wouldn't bill it as the match of champions - I would reserve that for Exeter v Saracens as we know they are the top i.e., hardest trophies to win.

[Roly]

Before I get comments saying the AW isn't a senior competition, you're wrong. It is.

It is still supposed to be a developmental competition though isn't it?

And it used to be in the true sense - until the AP sides started to take it a bit more seriously as another route into Europe, then the Welsh teams got left behind and more senior AP players were fielded.

I have not known it to be a development competition. It is a fully recognised competition which some clubs have chosen to use upcoming players with a mix of experience or to replace players who have been taken away on international duty.
There is still Silverware up for grabs.

Okay, lets just say that the 'spirit with which it was intended' meant that it was widely viewed as a developmental competition.

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

It is still supposed to be a developmental competition though isn't it?

And it used to be in the true sense - until the AP sides started to take it a bit more seriously as another route into Europe, then the Welsh teams got left behind and more senior AP players were fielded.

No, it was always intended as a full competition and some teams always treated it as such. Infact the big noises weren't pleased when some teams didn't treat it seriously.

The teams that weren't relegation candidiates, but likely to finish 7-9th would take it seriously for the top tier European place. Many of the 'better' teams that were more certain of a top 6 finish didn't want to fatigue 1st team players and would save them.

Given the tightening of the league over the last couple of years there are certainly fewer teams that think there certainly going to be in the top 6.

[Roly]

It is still supposed to be a developmental competition though isn't it?

And it used to be in the true sense - until the AP sides started to take it a bit more seriously as another route into Europe, then the Welsh teams got left behind and more senior AP players were fielded.

No, it was always intended as a full competition and some teams always treated it as such. Infact the big noises weren't pleased when some teams didn't treat it seriously.

The teams that weren't relegation candidiates, but likely to finish 7-9th would take it seriously for the top tier European place. Many of the 'better' teams that were more certain of a top 6 finish didn't want to fatigue 1st team players and would save them.

Given the tightening of the league over the last couple of years there are certainly fewer teams that think there certainly going to be in the top 6.

Fair appraisal.