On the evidence of the Premiership’s two spectacular semi-finals over the weekend, the need to change anything is almost (but not quite) non-existent.
As Bath swatted aside Bristol Bears, and Leicester mauled past Sale Sharks, the crowds were noisy, the drama was intense, and the two city-centre stadiums cocooned their spectators in a comforting blanket of familiarity.
Julián Montoya's dancing dad It's pure joy for the Montoya family who flew over from Argentina to watch their man at @LeicesterTigers for the first time. pic.twitter.com/gH0sACvmnX
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 7, 2025As you joined the semi-final crowds trundling over the Pulteney Bridge to Bath’s home at The Rec or down from the car parks round the Leicester Royal Infirmary or the train station to Welford Road, you were taking the same route as generations of supporters down the decades.
Now they get to see a few cherished local players mixed with the likes of Adam Radwan, whose swoop for two tries for Leicester came from a man signed from Newcastle Falcons, and the leadership of Julian Montoya and Handre Pollard: bought in, and transient, as the Argentina hooker and South African fly-half will leave Leicester at the end of the season.
Leicester Tigers’ Adam Radwan scores their first try against Sale Sharks (Photo: PA)
So there has been change on the field, but with the Premiership, it is the format and the central essence that have endured. The main offering, as the marketers like to put it, is clubs that people know and love, particularly since the demise of divisional and county teams did away with any alternative version of non-international rugby.
Northampton Saints wing Tommy Freeman said last week “the money would have to be off the charts” to give up playing for England – if that is what R360 might lead to – but he also said “at some point money probably does talk” in a short career. So the players could have their heads turned.
They could seek a bigger TV contract, and nudge ticket prices up, although £105 at Bath bought you a compromised view of Joe Cokanasiga’s game-breaking try in the corner on Friday night, and the pillars in Leicester’s Crumbie Stand kept the back muscles working as you leaned to and fro to follow the action on Saturday afternoon.
square RUGBY UNION I’ve seen the plans for R360 - there are five issues rugby must address
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And blimey, once the first whistle blew, it was fun. Bristol attacking from all angles, then pulverised by Bath’s back row; Leicester driving a maul for 20 metres then unleashing the Aussie centre Izaia Perese to the line. Ancient and modern, what’s not to like?
On the huge assumption anyone would care about R360’s made-up teams, they would at least be watching them in some of the world’s best and biggest stadiums.
Mind you, Cheika has seen it all and he summed up Welford Road on Saturday evening as “a cauldron of rugby lovers from all around the region”.
There are a few extra ingredients that could be added to English club rugby but this wonderful weekend slammed down the gauntlet to the disruptors to properly prove their case.
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