Bob Skinstad, the former Springboks captain, has voiced a compelling critique of the recent changes in English rugby, particularly the elimination of promotion and relegation in the Gallagher PREM. In an exclusive discussion, he shared his concerns that this shift might be detrimental to the competitiveness and growth of England’s national team.
“As players, we are competitive animals,” Skinstad remarked. “We’re built to understand debilitating loss and mountain-high expectations of ourselves. If you’re happy to play in the bland marshmallow land that is neither a promotion nor a relegation environment, why would you suddenly be a sharpened tool in a Test match environment?”
"There’s absolutely no jeopardy in the players’ lives beneath Test level"
Since the removal of relegation in 2020, England’s rugby performance has notably declined. They have not only suffered unprecedented losses in the Six Nations but also failed to secure any Champions Cup titles, a stark contrast to their past successes.
Skinstad, now owning a club in France’s competitive second division, pointed out the stark differences in player motivation between the French system, where relegation is a constant threat, and the new franchise model of the Gallagher PREM. “You don’t have to actually put your livelihood on the line and stay at the top of your game, as you do in France. I find that extraordinary,” he said.
The financial strain on English clubs has been severe, with a combined loss of £34 million reported in the 2023/24 season, prompting the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to overhaul the elite tier into a franchise model. This decision, while financially motivated, has been met with criticism from various quarters, including Simon Halliday, strategic advisor for Ealing Trailfinders. Halliday lamented the lack of competitive stakes in the league, emphasizing that players like Seb Atkinson from Gloucester are not being pushed to improve without the pressure of relegation.
Chris Robshaw, former England and Harlequins captain, echoed this sentiment. “You need to have an edge,” Robshaw stated. “If there was relegation it would force them to focus their minds a bit more and raise their game. It would put that jeopardy upon them.”
The debate between maintaining financial solvency and fostering competitive jeopardy is a poignant one. As Robshaw aptly put it, it’s less about what the league wants more, than what it needs. With England’s rugby prestige on the line, the effects of these radical changes will indeed be a test of time. As the sport faces evolving challenges, the balance between economic sustainability and competitive integrity continues to provoke thoughtful discussion among stakeholders.
As the rugby community watches closely, the upcoming matches will serve not just as another set of fixtures, but as a litmus test for the effectiveness of these sweeping reforms in one of the world’s most storied rugby nations.
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Bob Skinstad, the former Springboks captain, has voiced a compelling critique of the recent changes in English rugby, particularly the elimination of promotion and relegation in the Gallagher PREM. In an exclusive discussion, he shared his concerns that this shift might be detrimental to the competitiveness and growth of England’s national team.
“As players, we are competitive animals,” Skinstad remarked. “We’re built to understand debilitating loss and mountain-high expectations of ourselves. If you’re happy to play in the bland marshmallow land that is neither a promotion nor a relegation environment, why would you suddenly be a sharpened tool in a Test match environment?”
"There’s absolutely no jeopardy in the players’ lives beneath Test level"
Since the removal of relegation in 2020, England’s rugby performance has notably declined. They have not only suffered unprecedented losses in the Six Nations but also failed to secure any Champions Cup titles, a stark contrast to their past successes.
Skinstad, now owning a club in France’s competitive second division, pointed out the stark differences in player motivation between the French system, where relegation is a constant threat, and the new franchise model of the Gallagher PREM. “You don’t have to actually put your livelihood on the line and stay at the top of your game, as you do in France. I find that extraordinary,” he said.
The financial strain on English clubs has been severe, with a combined loss of £34 million reported in the 2023/24 season, prompting the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to overhaul the elite tier into a franchise model. This decision, while financially motivated, has been met with criticism from various quarters, including Simon Halliday, strategic advisor for Ealing Trailfinders. Halliday lamented the lack of competitive stakes in the league, emphasizing that players like Seb Atkinson from Gloucester are not being pushed to improve without the pressure of relegation.
Chris Robshaw, former England and Harlequins captain, echoed this sentiment. “You need to have an edge,” Robshaw stated. “If there was relegation it would force them to focus their minds a bit more and raise their game. It would put that jeopardy upon them.”
The debate between maintaining financial solvency and fostering competitive jeopardy is a poignant one. As Robshaw aptly put it, it’s less about what the league wants more, than what it needs. With England’s rugby prestige on the line, the effects of these radical changes will indeed be a test of time. As the sport faces evolving challenges, the balance between economic sustainability and competitive integrity continues to provoke thoughtful discussion among stakeholders.
As the rugby community watches closely, the upcoming matches will serve not just as another set of fixtures, but as a litmus test for the effectiveness of these sweeping reforms in one of the world’s most storied rugby nations.