Latest news with #BenoObano
Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Times
Prem Rugby: New logo, away ends and US matches in Premiership rebrand
Premiership Rugby will rebrand its league as Prem Rugby next month as part of a slate of innovations aimed at driving more interest in the English game. The renaming is one of several plans to revamp the league, including: • A trial of playing matches on Thursday nights; • A push for more 'big games' at top-class stadiums, some of which could take place in the United States; • More use of 'away ends', building on the two-match trial this season; • Employing Deloitte and The Raine Group to draw up plans to restructure the top flight. The name of the overriding organisation will remain Premiership Rugby, but from July 23 the league will be known as the Gallagher Prem. This aligns with the second-tier Championship, which has also shortened its name to Champ Rugby before next season. The Premiership has been known as such since 1997, having been called the Courage League after the English rugby pyramid was established in 1987. The leaders at Premiership Rugby first revealed they wanted to change the name of the league in May last year on The Ruck podcast from The Times. After an extensive rebranding exercise that has taken two years and included consultation with players, including the Bath prop Beno Obano and the Northampton Saints full back George Furbank, Premiership Rugby has settled on its shortened name as it wants to 'talk how fans talk' and 'unashamedly celebrate intensity, physicality, grit and extreme athleticism' in the game. Its new logo will be coloured orange to signify 'intensity'. Revealing the new name, Premiership Rugby's chief growth officer, Rob Calder, said: 'This is not formal, corporate or traditional. It's got grit, just like our competition. It's a physical contest that showcases power, pace and incredible skill under pressure, so we are unashamedly going to talk about physicality, intensity, extreme athleticism and the grit of top-flight rugby. 'This is about big hits, it's intense, it's full contact and its unflinching. We know this works as we've spoken to the players, and the things they've said in the process are: 'Promote the players. Show the game, the aggression, the gladiatorial nature of the game, and give the brand the intensity to match.' ' To help players build their personal brands, the league is creating a centralised social media app for them to share footage and pictures. While the rebrand will be announced at Saturday's sold-out Premiership final at Twickenham between Bath and Leicester Tigers, both in the stadium and live on TNT Sports, the official switch will occur on July 23. Next season's opening game will take place on Thursday, September 25, as a one-off trial. The Prem wants to avoid a clash with the Women's World Cup final, which is on Saturday, September 27 and is likely to feature England's Red Roses at Twickenham, so its opening round will have one match on the Thursday and the other four across Friday, September 26 and Sunday, September 28. This season two 'away ends' were trialled, when Harlequins went to Leicester and Gloucester went to Saracens, and the league wants to facilitate more of those next year. Fans would not be segregated, but away supporters would have the option to sit together. Premiership Rugby is also encouraging clubs to put on more 'big games' at larger stadiums. Harlequins play two of these, one at Christmas and the other in spring, both at Twickenham, while Saracens have their 'showdown' in March and Bristol Bears started their 'big day out' in Cardiff this May against Bath. The Times understands that Sale Sharks have previously investigated using Bolton Wanderers' 29,000-seat Toughsheet Community Stadium for a league game. It will not happen next season, but the league wants to take matches to the US in the build-up to the 2031 men's World Cup over there. Officials are confident that they can do so, having built the number of sell-outs over the past three seasons from 13 to 18 to 30 this term. The Premiership previously played two ill-fated matches stateside in 2016 and 2017. In 2016 London Irish faced Saracens in New York, and then Saracens played Newcastle Falcons in Philadelphia the following year, but neither game was sold out. 'We've had US games before and they've been flash in the pans, in the wrong area, wrong stadiums with the wrong teams,' Premiership Rugby's chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, said. 'It needs to lead to something. It's about maxing out what we've got domestically first, which is why sell-outs are so important. That needs to continue for these big games to exist, and then you start moving beyond your shores.' In terms of the league's structure, the Prem will remain a ten-team league next season, but executives are looking to add 'expansion' teams. To investigate what the league could look like in future, Premiership Rugby has employed both the New York-based bank Raine and the consultancy firm Deloitte. Their remit is to look only at the structure of the league within England, though, rather than trying to start an Anglo-Welsh or British and Irish domestic league. Ultimately they will take recommendations to the Premiership Rugby board by the summer, which should lead to the franchising of the top flight and an official end to promotion and relegation, as The Times has reported. Raine and Deloitte helped the ECB with the sale of the Hundred franchises, which is set to earn £520million for English cricket. There is confidence at Premiership Rugby that the bottom side in 2024-25, Newcastle Falcons, will be taken over by Red Bull this summer, so they will be able to compete in next season's league. If they are, the Falcons are likely to incorporate the Red Bull brand in their name — for example, renaming themselves Red Bull Newcastle. TNT Sports, the league's broadcaster, which has a commitment to show the Prem until 2031, also wants to add more data and technology to its coverage, including showing player heartrates and the pressure exerted at scrums. It believes it has the technical ability to show fans that information already, but needs the buy-in of the clubs and players to do so. Ultimately the Premiership believes that it is emerging from several lean years, in which Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish went bust, and the league has cut its cloth with fresh confidence. Its chairman, Martyn Phillips, said: 'Three or four years ago we were in a hole, but we battened down the hatches to get the Premiership back on course. This feels like a significant day for us. We're in a good spot, but have by no means cracked it.' Jokingly, he added: 'We're out of intensive care, maybe even out of hospital, and we're not keen to go back there.'
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Welcome to the Gallagher Prem: English rugby's top flight rebrands and targets US
Premiership Rugby has rebranded England's top division as the Gallagher Prem as part of a wide-ranging reboot that includes plans to take a fixture to the United States in the coming years and kicking off next season on a Thursday night. Unperturbed by the existential threat posed by the R360 breakaway league, PRL on Saturday relaunches the Premiership on the day that Bath face Leicester in the final at Twickenham. The change comes after widespread consultation with players including the England and Northampton full-back George Furbank and the Bath prop Beno Obano, with PRL executives stating it reflects 'how fans talk' and seeks to 'unashamedly celebrate intensity, physicality, grit and extreme athleticism'. The rebrand – the first time the league has changed name since 1997 – is also designed to underline PRL's intentions to start a new chapter after recent years have been plagued by financial turmoil with Worcester, Wasps and London Irish all going bust. Executives point to how the number of sellouts has risen from 18 to 30 this season while a new broadcast deal with TNT has been signed and, as exclusively revealed by the Guardian, Red Bull has agreed a deal to buy Newcastle Falcons. Plans for a franchise league also continue apace amid consultation with Deloitte and Raine Group over further investment. Emboldened as a result, a return to the US is likely. In 2016, Saracens and London Irish locked horns in New York and a year later Newcastle and Saracens squared off in Philadelphia. Neither fixture moved the dial – only 6,000 attended the latter – but, with the US hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2031, there is a collective attempt among powerbrokers to capitalise. England are playing a Test against the USA in Washington in July while the All Blacks will meet Ireland in Chicago at Solider Field in the autumn in a rematch of their historic meeting in 2016. It is understood that the British & Irish Lions turned down the chance to play their warm-up match against Argentina next week in Las Vegas but a well-placed source has told the Guardian that playing a fixture in the US on the way to New Zealand in 2029 is likely. PRL's title sponsor, Gallagher, is based in Chicago and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2027. Harlequins (Twickenham), Saracens (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) and Bristol (Principality Stadium) have all staged matches away from their regular homes this season to great success. Asked about taking fixtures abroad, and if a return to the States was a prospect, the Premiership Rugby chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, said: 'Yeah, but you need to do it strategically. The obvious point is the US and we've had US games before and they've been flash in the pans, at the wrong time of the season, in the wrong area, in the wrong stadiums with the wrong teams. But there is an opportunity in the buildup to the 2031 World Cup, we've also got a US partner who are coming up to their 100th anniversary. 'It needs to lead to something. It's about maxing out what we've got domestically first, which is why sell-outs are so important. That needs to continue for these big games to exist, and then you start moving beyond your shores.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Of the rebrand, Premiership Rugby's chief growth officer, Rob Calder, said: 'This is not formal, corporate or traditional. It's got grit, just like our competition. It's a physical contest that showcases power, pace and incredible skill under pressure, so we are unashamedly going to talk about physicality, intensity, extreme athleticism and the grit of top-flight rugby. 'This is about big hits, it's intense, it's full contact and it's unflinching. We know this works as we've spoken to the players, and the things they've said in the process are 'promote the players. Show the game, the aggression, the gladiatorial nature of the game, and give the brand the intensity to match'.' PRL chiefs have also confirmed that next season is set to start on a Thursday, two days before the women's World Cup final, in an effort to avoid a clash with the Twickenham showpiece. It is likely to be a one-off in the short-term but, with next year's Six Nations also starting on a Thursday at the request of broadcasters, midweek matches could become a more regular feature further down the line. Officials have also revealed that they intend to trial away sections at more matches next season after doing so at Saracens and Leicester in April.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Welcome to the Gallagher Prem: English rugby's top flight rebrands and targets US
Premiership Rugby has rebranded England's top division as the Gallagher Prem as part of a wide-ranging reboot that includes plans to take a fixture to the United States in the coming years and kicking off next season on a Thursday night. Unperturbed by the existential threat posed by the R360 breakaway league, PRL on Saturday relaunches the Premiership on the day that Bath face Leicester in the final at Twickenham. Advertisement The change comes after widespread consultation with players including the England and Northampton full-back George Furbank and the Bath prop Beno Obano, with PRL executives stating it reflects 'how fans talk' and seeks to 'unashamedly celebrate intensity, physicality, grit and extreme athleticism'. Related: Owen Farrell agrees return to Saracens as player-coach on five-year deal The rebrand – the first time the league has changed name since 1997 – is also designed to underline PRL's intentions to start a new chapter after recent years have been plagued by financial turmoil with Worcester, Wasps and London Irish all going bust. Executives point to how the number of sellouts has risen from 18 to 30 this season while a new broadcast deal with TNT has been signed and, as exclusively revealed by the Guardian, Red Bull has agreed a deal to buy Newcastle Falcons. Plans for a franchise league also continue apace amid consultation with Deloitte and Raine Group over further investment. Advertisement Emboldened as a result, a return to the US is likely. In 2016, Saracens and London Irish locked horns in New York and a year later Newcastle and Saracens squared off in Philadelphia. Neither fixture moved the dial – only 6,000 attended the latter – but, with the US hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2031, there is a collective attempt among powerbrokers to capitalise. England are playing a Test against the USA in Washington in July while the All Blacks will meet Ireland in Chicago at Solider Field in the autumn in a rematch of their historic meeting in 2016. It is understood that the British & Irish Lions turned down the chance to play their warm-up match against Argentina next week in Las Vegas but a well-placed source has told the Guardian that playing a fixture in the US on the way to New Zealand in 2029 is likely. PRL's title sponsor, Gallagher, is based in Chicago and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2027. Harlequins (Twickenham), Saracens (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) and Bristol (Principality Stadium) have all staged matches away from their regular homes this season to great success. Asked about taking fixtures abroad, and if a return to the States was a prospect, the Premiership Rugby chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, said: 'Yeah, but you need to do it strategically. The obvious point is the US and we've had US games before and they've been flash in the pans, at the wrong time of the season, in the wrong area, in the wrong stadiums with the wrong teams. But there is an opportunity in the buildup to the 2031 World Cup, we've also got a US partner who are coming up to their 100th anniversary. 'It needs to lead to something. It's about maxing out what we've got domestically first, which is why sell-outs are so important. That needs to continue for these big games to exist, and then you start moving beyond your shores.' Advertisement Of the rebrand, Premiership Rugby's chief growth officer, Rob Calder, said: 'This is not formal, corporate or traditional. It's got grit, just like our competition. It's a physical contest that showcases power, pace and incredible skill under pressure, so we are unashamedly going to talk about physicality, intensity, extreme athleticism and the grit of top-flight rugby. 'This is about big hits, it's intense, it's full contact and it's unflinching. We know this works as we've spoken to the players, and the things they've said in the process are 'promote the players. Show the game, the aggression, the gladiatorial nature of the game, and give the brand the intensity to match'.' PRL chiefs have also confirmed that next season is set to start on a Thursday, two days before the women's World Cup final, in an effort to avoid a clash with the Twickenham showpiece. It is likely to be a one-off in the short-term but, with next year's Six Nations also starting on a Thursday at the request of broadcasters, midweek matches could become a more regular feature further down the line. Officials have also revealed that they intend to trial away sections at more matches next season after doing so at Saracens and Leicester in April.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
This Bath side can rule English rugby for a dynasty, writes DAN BIGGAR... winning the Premiership final would be a fitting end to a stunning season
There is no doubt Bath have been the best team in the Gallagher Premiership this season, but their performance to reach the final saw them go up another notch. I thought Johann van Graan's side were exceptional against Bristol on Friday night, the way they played rubberstamping their tag as champions-elect. This Bath side have everything. They will be strong favourites in Saturday's final against Leicester. Of course, anything can happen in a one-off game. You saw that in the 2024 final, when Bath prop Beno Obano was sent off. Even with 14 men, his team were only just beaten by Northampton, so you could make a good argument to say the result would have been different if he'd stayed on. So long as Bath don't go a player down this time, I think they'll win. The reason I say that is because they have the ability to play several different ways. They have an all-round game that no one else in England can match. Bristol really worried them with their attack in the first half, but the way Bath responded in the third quarter to score 28 unanswered points was exceptional. The semi-final at the Rec was a brilliant advert for the Premiership, a proper old-school derby with everything on the line played in front of a brilliant and hostile crowd. At a time when there is talk of a new breakaway league in rugby, it was a reminder of how good the English club game can be. Any side in the world would have been caused problems by some of the rugby Bristol played in the first 40 minutes. But what I liked about Bath was there was no panic. Bristol should have been further clear at the break and I think they had some tough calls go against them. What Bath were so good at in the third quarter was playing structured rugby. Yes, they still moved the ball. But they were in control after Bristol sucked them into a game of sevens in the first half. Bath have pace as well as power. They can turn the screw in different ways and their bench impact is huge. A lot of their calmness is driven by Van Graan, who is a very impressive character. Cynics might belittle his input and say Bath have spent the most money on their squad, so should be winning. That is not the case at all. Van Graan is a top-quality coach. Bath won't want to lose him and I'm sure owner Bruce Craig will tie him down to an even longer contract if Bath win the Premiership. But he looks an international coach in waiting. Yes, he has a very strong team. But he has not only put that together since joining in 2022, he also totally aligned the club on and off the field. In my time in the Premiership with Northampton, Bath were a sleeping giant - a big club in name and stature but one not delivering on the field. Now, they are. You don't always get what you deserve but if there's any justice, Bath will win the final They can win matches with brilliant attack. If you want to take them on in a dogfight, they can do that, too. Their defence is exceptional. It must be brilliant to be a part of their team right now, knowing that whatever the opposition brings, you have the tools to deal with it. I don't think I ever had that in my career and I was fortunate to play in some very good teams for both club and country. You don't always get what you deserve in professional sport. But if there is any justice in the world, it will be Bath who win the final on Saturday. Yes, Leicester will do everything they can to upset the applecart and they will undoubtedly cause Van Graan's men problems. But if all goes to plan for Bath, it is their fans who will be celebrating what would be an historic treble. That would be a fitting way for their club to finish an amazing season. It could be the start of a dynasty of them dominating English rugby for many years to come, like Saracens have done in the past. They are that good.
