Latest news with #Wasps
Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Times
R360 league delusional and commercially unsustainable — TNT chief
TNT Sports and Premiership Rugby chiefs have taken aim at the proposed rebel league, R360, calling it 'delusional' and 'commercially unsustainable'. TNT have said that they will not consider broadcasting the new competition, which is slated to begin next year, while Premiership executives feel they are being 'gaslit' by those trying to start it. Promotional material for R360, which has been seen by The Times, talks about how much club rugby is struggling on and off the pitch, an analysis Premiership figures no longer recognise. Premiership Rugby says it has one million new fans, including a 30 per cent growth in supporters between the ages of 18 to 34, and has also grown its television audience on TNT by the same amount. It has signed a fresh contract with the broadcaster until 2031. At stadiums, there have been 30 sold-out matches this season — compared to 18 last year and 13 the year before that — and this weekend's Gallagher Premiership final between Leicester Tigers and Bath at Twickenham has long been a sell-out. The Bath-Bristol play-off semi-final last weekend had the most viewers of any Friday night match in TNT Sports history, with hundreds of thousands of fans tuning in. Therefore, they are not prepared to engage with R360 as they believe in the strength of their product on and off the field, and think they have drawn a line under a period of instability that resulted in three top-flight clubs — Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish — going bust in 2022. While some Premiership executives have welcomed the disruption R360 is causing, they will not entertain any conversations with a new competition that threatens to devalue theirs. Particularly scathing about R360's plans was Andrew Georgiou, the president and managing director of Warner Brothers Discovery — the company that owns TNT Sports. 'I've been involved in sport for 25 years. I can't tell you how many of these PowerPoint presentations I've come across my desk with people who were absolutely certain that what they had on that page was going to be the new thing,' Georgiou said. 'No one's come to us and made a presentation, no one's told us what the new format is, no one told us what the new schedule is. But the one question that I think should be asked is, how are they going to grow the revenue by putting this event on? 'Where's the money coming from? The media industry is going through a massive generational change. So if these folks believe that they are going to grow the revenue by putting this thing on, I think they're delusional. 'What it will do is further complicate what is already a well-functioning rugby ecosystem. The fact that it's being likened to LIV Golf, I think is a perfect analogy. It's a perfect comparator to what this is really going to be. Commercially unsustainable. Lions preview show This Thursday, Owen Slot, chief sports writer at The Times, will host an unmissable discussion about rugby's most iconic touring team. Joining him will be former Lions legends Lawrence Dallaglio and Sam Warburton, alongside Times journalists Stephen Jones and Mark Palmer. 'I think you've got to park what players have to do versus actually, what's the long-term sustainable model that this thing's going to create and does it actually grow the ecosystem or not? And I'm thoroughly unconvinced.' Asked if TNT would therefore not consider broadcasting R360 if it came to life, Georgiou said: 'You bet.' R360, run by a group including the England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, plans to launch in 2026. It takes inspiration from F1 and cricket's Indian Premier League, and wants to establish a grand prix-style travelling league that would feature eight men's franchises and a four-team professional women's competition. They have signed players to contracts already, including a number of those selected by Andy Farrell for the British & Irish Lions squad, which will be activated if the R360 franchise owners can meet broadcasting rights and team ownership targets. They intend to pay the world's top 40 players more than £1million. The organisers have received bids for their teams from Premier League, Formula 1 and NFL team owners and are looking to tap into the expertise of franchise owners and investors from some of the biggest sports competitions in the world in order to transform rugby. Simon Massie-Taylor, the chief executive of Premiership Rugby, believes that the work his organisation has done to right itself — from establishing financial monitoring groups and more stringent salary cap regulations, to signing a better Professional Game Partnership with the RFU and improved marketing, branding and promotion of the league — means the league can see off this attack from R360. 'The R360 thing is a distraction, sure, but it's not grounded in the same amount of work and detail that we've been doing,' he said. 'Rugby needs roots, it doesn't need pop-ups. Without those roots, it's very difficult to understand how their system could ever work. 'That one person who's going to turn up on a go out on the field, there's a whole system, a whole team, a whole grassroots network that needs to develop that person beyond just rocking up. 'I'd be worried if players are counting on that [contracts they have signed] because they may miss out on genuine opportunities that exist within their club. Things need sanctioning for a start and things need money coming through the door before these people can actually get paid.'
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Simmer Rugby Club completes sweep against Edenvale Wasps
The Simmer Rugby Club remains on a winning streak. Another celebration was in the cards as both the first and second teams secured victories over the Edenvale Wasps during an action-packed weekend—showcasing skill, grit, and undeniable team spirit. First team stages comeback In a gripping encounter, the Simmer first team overcame a rocky start to secure a memorable 33–24 win against a strong Wasps side. ALSO READ: Simmer Rugby sweeps Scorpions in triple win The first half proved challenging, with Simmer struggling to find rhythm and losing key battles at the breakdown. However, momentum shifted just before halftime when Clayton Gindan powered through the defence to score a spectacular try, reigniting the team's belief. The second half saw a revitalised Simmer squad take control. With fast-paced play and improved cohesion, they dominated possession and executed their game plan with precision. Gindan delivered an outstanding performance, adding two more tries to complete his hat-trick and cement his status as one of the team's standout forwards played a pivotal role in the turnaround, with JP Loots leading the pack. ALSO READ: Elsburg Rugby Club recruits young players His dominance in the lineouts and relentless ball-carrying kept Simmer on the front foot, paving the way for attacking opportunities. His leadership and tenacity earned him the Man of the Match award. Other try scorers included Nolo Molefe, DJ Malatji, and Siphamandla Ndaba. Ruan Botha added three conversions, while Bertie Erasmus slotted another to seal the result. Second team cruises to victory Earlier in the day, the Simmer second team set the tone with a dominant 31–17 victory over the Wasps. From the outset, the team looked sharp, scoring four tries in the first half alone. ALSO READ: Vryburger High starts rugby team for girls The forwards were relentless at the scrum, efficient in the lineouts, and clinical at the rucks—providing the backline with a strong platform. Marius Stallenberg and Boeboe Perries led the charge, with Perries delivering a show-stopping performance. He scored two tries and added a conversion, while his pinpoint tactical kicking shifted the game's momentum. His all-round effort earned him the Man of the Match accolade. The second half saw Perries add another try, while Belvine made an instant impact, crossing the line just five minutes after coming on. ALSO READ: Vryburger celebrates rugby victories Nolo Molefe converted key tries, ensuring the Wasps had no chance of a comeback. Despite a few areas for improvement, the 2nd team's performance was a clear statement of intent for the rest of the season. Both Simmer teams showcased heart, unity, and exceptional skill—delivering a clean sweep against a tough opponent. These results reflect the hard work being put in on and off the field. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Challenge Cup victory can start golden era for Bath, says Dallaglio
An EPCR Challenge Cup victory can be the springboard to a golden era as Lawrence Dallaglio knows only too well – making Bath's trip to Cardiff this Friday a huge opportunity. Finn Russell and co will hope to bring home the second part of a treble when they take on French side Lyon in the Challenge Cup final at Principality Stadium, live on Premier Sports 1, with a Premiership Rugby Cup victory having already ended Bath's 17-year wait for silverware. They are also heavy favourites to take the Gallagher Premiership crown that narrowly escaped them last season, having already clinched top spot and underlined their position with a thumping win over second-placed Leicester Tigers at the weekend. For Dallaglio, who is part of a 15-strong Premier Sports TV punditry team delivering the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup for Premier Sports, the new broadcasters of international club rugby's premier competitions, feels the Final gives Bath a chance to exorcise some demons from last year's heart-breaking Premiership final loss to Northampton Saints. That day, even after Beno Obano's first-half red card, they were only denied by a late Alex Mitchell try. And former England and Wasps No.8 Dallaglio recalled how victory in the Challenge Cup back in 2002 – coincidentally against Bath – was the catalyst for his club's extended run of success. He said: 'I hate constantly making parallels with my own playing career. But when Wasps embarked on our golden period of success, it all started with the Challenge Cup final. 'Ironically, it was a fixture against Bath in the final that kicked us off. We won that and then went on to win our first Premiership final against Gloucester as well. 'Bath have targeted the Premiership and been the front-runners all season, they have been outstanding in terms of their consistency, but this is a golden opportunity for them to get another trophy in the cabinet. And for them to prove themselves that they are capable of winning these things. 'Having the better team for most of last year's final, even being down to 14 men, they still missed out. They will want to rectify that and win this. If you are going to go on and win the Premiership, there is value in these sorts of games in giving you the confidence that you have got what it takes to win the one-off knockout occasions.' They face a Lyon team that has plenty of star power, including standout Georgian full-back Davit Niniashvili, while they beat Owen Farrell's Racing 92 in the semi-finals. But fresh from a pair of league defeats that has hurt their chances of reaching the Top 14 play-offs, Dallaglio believes that Bath rightly go into the game as favourites, particularly with the proximity of the Welsh capital to the Rec. He added: 'Whenever you take on a French side on a neutral ground away from France, you fancy your chances. The fact it is in Cardiff, and Lyon coming off the back of two defeats, I fancy Bath to be strong favourites. 'For me it feels like a home game – for Bath and Northampton (who play Bordeaux-Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup final on Saturday, also live on Premier Sports 1). They have got to take full advantage of that. They will feel more comfortable than their opponents.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Returning Worcester appoint Everard as head coach
Worcester Warriors have named former Leicester Tigers defence coach Matt Everard as their new head coach. Warriors are set to return to professional rugby union next season in the Championship, two-and-a-half years after going into administration. The 34-year-old former Leicester and Wasps back-rower began coaching with Wasps after retirement in 2017. He returned to Welford Road initially as a senior academy coach for the 2022-23 season before moving into the role of defence coach in December 2022. He was stood down from that post in February. Worcester were suspended from all competitions in September 2022 and put into administration over unpaid tax, but passed an RFU-led tender process to enter the expanded second tier next season. Warriors CEO Stephen Vaughan said: "Matt is the right person to lead this new chapter. "Having worked closely with Matt previously, he is perfect for the role, and we are delighted to have him join us at the very outset. "He understands the values and culture we are looking to build here, and the potential of Worcester Warriors. His elite level experience, connections and leadership will be crucial as we return to competitive rugby and rebuild from the ground up." Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Returning Worcester appoint Everard as head coach
Worcester Warriors have named former Leicester Tigers defence coach Matt Everard as their new head are set to return to professional rugby union next season in the Championship, two-and-a-half years after going into 34-year-old former Leicester and Wasps back-rower began coaching with Wasps after retirement in returned to Welford Road initially as a senior academy coach for the 2022-23 season before moving into the role of defence coach in December 2022. He was stood down from that post in were suspended from all competitions in September 2022 and put into administration over unpaid tax, but passed an RFU-led tender process to enter the expanded second tier next CEO Stephen Vaughan said: "Matt is the right person to lead this new chapter. "Having worked closely with Matt previously, he is perfect for the role, and we are delighted to have him join us at the very outset. "He understands the values and culture we are looking to build here, and the potential of Worcester Warriors. His elite level experience, connections and leadership will be crucial as we return to competitive rugby and rebuild from the ground up."
