Money Matters

This weekend Jersey RFC have sealed promotion to the Championship, taking one step closer to their search for Premiership rugby. It’s been no secret that their rise to the second tier in English rugby has coincided with huge investment in the club, paying huge wages to players even when they were in National League 3 South. They are not the only example of money making the difference within the sport this season.

Jersey will play in The Championship next year

The all French Amlin Cup semi-finalists drill home the progression that these clubs have made without a salary cap. The strength in depth created as a result of French sides being able to bring in big names has been apparent, as English sides have fallen by the wayside in European competition at the end of a tough season. Saracens, a club that we consider wealthy and often wonder how they are staying below the £4million wage mark, were swept aside by Clermont almost as easily as Quins were by Toulon the night before.

I am all for the academy structure put in place, and first implemented by Stuart Lancaster at Leeds Tykes 10 years ago, and as a fan it is great to see young players coming through and making their mark. But it is hard to see how Premiership clubs will compete in Europe in years to come against RaboDirect Pro12 clubs with 10 international players playing week in week out together and French clubs with seemingly unlimited budgets.

Money has been on the agenda at Wasps as well, and excitingly for the neutrals it has come down to an end of season showdown at Adams Park with Newcastle. Wasps are still favourites but if the Falcons defy the odds it could signal the end for the Wasps and not only for their 25 year run in the top division.

It will be interesting to follow the Aviva Premiership through the next couple of years in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015, as sides have to look at ways of keeping their top players away from potential suitors as well as bringing in new big names to keep fans and sponsors alike interested.

Have Jersey proved all of our mothers wrong and show fans that money really does bring happiness?

Until next week,

Andy