Exiles set for Exile?

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I know some (lots) traditional rugby fans won;t like it, but we need some of the fancy stuff that goes on in the likes of the T20/Hundred cricket. I'm not talking cheer leaders like they do in rugby league but some pyrontechnics and music playing, lets have a party with the prem cup. Maybe they need to move matches to grounds that don't look like a shed in a field and then jazz it up a bit and give tickets away to local schools.

I know, wheres the money gonna come from, but its all to do with marketing. And positivity.....

[Bunchy]

I agree - it needs to change. Rugby League is a great example - worse funding and support than Union but innovative in ways to grow the game such as

* Away sections improving atmosphere at the games
* Magic weekend
* Derby games spotlighted and prioritised
* No clashes with internationals

People may not like some or any of the above, but they all contribute to a better experience and bring in more fans

We have to adapt and grow or the game as know it will die.

[GB72]

I agree - it needs to change. Rugby League is a great example - worse funding and support than Union but innovative in ways to grow the game such as

* Away sections improving atmosphere at the games
* Magic weekend
* Derby games spotlighted and prioritised
* No clashes with internationals

People may not like some or any of the above, but they all contribute to a better experience and bring in more fans

We have to adapt and grow or the game as know it will die.

And if you moved the season to match those dates used by league, you could get the 6 Nations and Autumn Internationals played pre or post season whilst also playing several months of the season outside of the football season (TV would love a team sport to show in the off season that is no cricket) and it would also be played in conditions condusive to running rugby.

[Hot_Charlie]

Devil's Advocating:

I agree - it needs to change. Rugby League is a great example - worse funding and support than Union but innovative in ways to grow the game such as

* Away sections improving atmosphere at the games only if there are enough fans to populate them. Most of the coverage over "away sections" has been after London Irish v Quins (2021/22) where there was large, coordinated travelling local support and our semi-final at Sale. One of those fixtures will no longer exists, the other wasn't a regular league fixture.

* Magic weekend only works if you get buy-in from the teams (ie, the PRL board) that half the league will give up a home fixture. Then of course the use of the stadium needs to be factored in and the likely ticket sales and pricing

* Derby games spotlighted and prioritised Spotlighted yes. Prioritised? I'm not sure what you mean by that other than trying to have them covered. But then you have to come from the club's perspective of running a day to day business. Does the Tigers v Saints derby need to be on TV every year, as surely the club would prefer an overflowing stadium.

* No clashes with internationals great on paper, but then (as I've said before) you lose the chance to bring on players. With international fixture clashes you risk losing the age-old opportunity to let young players step up to the Premiership level. Remove them and have a test class side week-in, week-out, all season and you risk stifling teams' willingness and ability to bring on young players beyond the (very second tier now) Prem Cup

People may not like some or any of the above, but they all contribute to a better experience and bring in more fans

We have to adapt and grow or the game as know it will die.

[Hot_Charlie]

I agree - it needs to change. Rugby League is a great example - worse funding and support than Union but innovative in ways to grow the game such as

* Away sections improving atmosphere at the games
* Magic weekend
* Derby games spotlighted and prioritised
* No clashes with internationals

People may not like some or any of the above, but they all contribute to a better experience and bring in more fans

We have to adapt and grow or the game as know it will die.

And if you moved the season to match those dates used by league, you could get the 6 Nations and Autumn Internationals played pre or post season whilst also playing several months of the season outside of the football season (TV would love a team sport to show in the off season that is no cricket) and it would also be played in conditions condusive to running rugby.

You want people to attend games. They do it pretty well September to June. Move the domestic season say May to October and suddenly you've got a lot of people (particularly those with young fans) away for 6 weeks of it. And I suspect the rugby playing demographic is the one more likely to be cricket fans. And what about the rugby fans who enjoy it being their pasttime from Sep - Jun?

Alienating the current fan demographic is a frankly awful idea.

[TTRITH]

How about a 7s tournament in the summer?

There are 10 teams in the league. 2 matches each week. Pick 5 venues around the country.

6th week is a grand final. Play off for top 4, 5 - 8 and a 2 leg match for 9 - 10, or even invite 2 guest teams to play off against these two teams.

Exposure for younger players, exposure for the sport, proper marketing into it.

A family area, and an adult only area.

Competitions for match tickets for the Premiership, meet and greet opportunities, merchandise spots for each clubs.

[Hot_Charlie]

How about a 7s tournament in the summer?

There are 10 teams in the league. 2 matches each week. Pick 5 venues around the country.

6th week is a grand final. Play off for top 4, 5 - 8 and a 2 leg match for 9 - 10, or even invite 2 guest teams to play off against these two teams.

Exposure for younger players, exposure for the sport, proper marketing into it.

A family area, and an adult only area.

Competitions for match tickets for the Premiership, meet and greet opportunities, merchandise spots for each clubs.

Reinventing the wheel! 6 or 7 years since the last one I think.

I always used to like the Prem 7s, but it was just a shame that many clubs just brought in 7s specialists. I'd like to see it back in some form.

[GB72]

I agree - it needs to change. Rugby League is a great example - worse funding and support than Union but innovative in ways to grow the game such as

* Away sections improving atmosphere at the games
* Magic weekend
* Derby games spotlighted and prioritised
* No clashes with internationals

People may not like some or any of the above, but they all contribute to a better experience and bring in more fans

We have to adapt and grow or the game as know it will die.

And if you moved the season to match those dates used by league, you could get the 6 Nations and Autumn Internationals played pre or post season whilst also playing several months of the season outside of the football season (TV would love a team sport to show in the off season that is no cricket) and it would also be played in conditions condusive to running rugby.

You want people to attend games. They do it pretty well September to June. Move the domestic season say May to October and suddenly you've got a lot of people (particularly those with young fans) away for 6 weeks of it. And I suspect the rugby playing demographic is the one more likely to be cricket fans. And what about the rugby fans who enjoy it being their pasttime from Sep - Jun?

Alienating the current fan demographic is a frankly awful idea.

Alternatively, you look at it as having a young demographic off school and university and looking for entertainment. Sadly if the current fan dempgraphic were turning up in numbers at all clubs across the top 2 leagues, the conversation would not be necessary. Not saying it is the best idea but the sport as a professional entity in England is dying on its feet and so ideas need to be looked at. Let us see how this 10 club league pans out next year. If the fixtures are planned in such a way that the internationals are free more, if the revenue from a 10 club league is enough to keep clubs afloat, if the TV companies and sponsors are happy with the new set up then all good. Next season will be on the back of a load of PR from the World Cup as well and so let us see what happens. I hope it all goes well but, given all of those dynamics, if clubs are still haemoraging money at the end of if then I really cannot see the way forward from there.

[Rugbygramps]

Going to throw this out there a then put in hat on.
Isn’t a lot of this about the supposed class system in this country, and the perception of our sport.
Football and to an extent Rugby League are seen as the sports of the masses, they love some razzmatazz making the non rugby bit more entertaining.
Union is still very much viewed, by those outside the sport as the game of the middle class. Any mention of innovation to try and bring some colour to the game is met by many on here with a loud HARRUMPH. I once mentioned that I like the post’s lighting up after a successful kick and was soundly put in my place.
For me it is that perception that has to change if you are to attract new fans. No body wants revolution but I would suggest we are at a stage of innovate or take the game back to a semi pro level, outside of test players.

Just a comment about changing to a summer sport. Union is a sport that is played from Autumn through to Spring, that is the same throughout the world. If you want to change it you would need to change the whole sporting calendar, not just rugby. Also in an impact sport summer rugby would lead to firmer grounds which would lead to more injuries. All IMO of course

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I agree with RG, I think the traditionality of the sport could well be holding it back. We need to get away from the Ra, Ra perception.
Another issue I see is the laws, football is easy to understand, maybe we need some celebraty explaining some of the laws and plays like Greg James does for the Hundred

[Rugbygramps]

I agree with RG, I think the traditionality of the sport could well be holding it back. We need to get away from the Ra, Ra perception.
Another issue I see is the laws, football is easy to understand, maybe we need some celebraty explaining some of the laws and plays like Greg James does for the Hundred

The laws are an excellent point as there are literally hundreds of them. However you only need to understand the basics to be able to enjoy the game. A beginner’s guide would be an excellent idea.

The idea of looking for a new demographic is also key, with students being an excellent idea.
Where Freddie Burns has just finished playing, in Dunedin, they have a students only area, big university in Dunedin, called The Zoo, which can get lively.
We have 2 universities in Leicester, 1 in Loughborough and 1 in Derby all with excellent train links. How about setting aside an area of the clubhouse end stand, not sure of its current name, for students. Offer discount tickets give them a daft free hat each. Any supporter who currently sits in that area offer them a free upgrade to a different part of the ground.

[Roadsweeper]

To speed the game up bring back proper rucking, and by that I don't mean treading on players or stamping.

It keeps people on their feet rather than flopping on the ground and reduces the thudding impacts - which cause concussion.

Speed up the game and keep players safer. Win Win.

[GB72]

A beginners guide would be a great move. Simply more radio coverage would be another thing. Cricket has younger people like Greg James promoting the sport, making it interesting for all audiences and he gets great access to players. You also have TMS, live online text commentary, the works for cricket (admitedly only at international level). What do we have, the whell Joe Mahler out for a bit of comic relief every now and again. There are some massive stars who are rugby fans but they never seemed to be used to promote the game. Equally, the players are hardly seen or heard from outside of post match interviews.

We need to get the club game out there. There are a number or people who will watch England matches but probably have little idea who most clubs are, if they know an at all. Lets get in their ear about how great the club game is.

[Roadsweeper]

League fixtures being played on international days is frankly stupid, from a fan point of view.

How can you be at both, you are diluting your audience.

International players still get rest, as they are only allowed to play so many games.

The more junior players will still get game time.

Play on Thursday or Friday nights, put a band on, etc etc, if you want to bring people in.

T20 is a great example of how to bring people in at less traditional times.

[Roadsweeper]

Traditional TV needs to show more games and highlights.

If people can't see the game because they don't have Sky or BT, then the only rugby they see are internationals.

How does the young boy or girl who might play at school or for a local club learn about Premiership rugby if he /she never sees it.