RFU chairman Bill Beaumont has admitted commercial rather than sporting considerations are behind the format of a Championship campaign which could see Newcastle Falcons thwarted in the play-offs despite dominating the regular season.
Saturday’s victory over Cornish Pirates secured their place in the semi-finals with six games left to go, Beaumont admitting: “Personally I am a believer that if you are top of the league in April you should pick the Cup up, but it is a commercial thing now. The benefit of the system is that it makes the end of the season really interesting, and it generates spectator numbers.
“Newcastle knew the rules of engagement when they participated, and they knew what was going to happen.
“It won’t be absolutely perfect from their point of view because there is a possibility they could win every game all season then get turned over on a home-and-away basis, as London Welsh showed last year. I have rightly got to be impartial given my role at the RFU, but it looks as though they are going to bounce back.”
Crediting director of rugby Dean Richards (pictured left) and owner Semore Kurdi with much of their success, Beaumont added: “Dean brings massive experience, enormous rugby nous and huge enthusiasm, and he will be a catalyst for success at Newcastle.
“What he has done is bring back the experience he had with Harlequins, transferred it to the North East and they are going well. I met the owner when I was up here the other week, and he seems very enthusiastic about the whole thing.
“From an England point of view we need northern rugby to be successful, and to have strong teams within this region. In the old days the North of England had as good a record against the big teams as anybody, and it was the source of great pride.
“What they have got to ensure, though, is that the conveyor belt of North East talent stays within the region.
“If you look at the England squad you have guys like Geoff Parling and Toby Flood who have moved out of the area, and finding a way to retain those guys of the future is so important to everything they are trying to do.”
