The Impact of the Six Nations on domestic competitions

The following article was e-mailed to me and written by Cian McBride, Ealing. He makes a very good point and I would like to thank him for taking the time to type up such an interesting article which is quite significant to this time of season.....

 Over these last few weeks (and for the next 3 to come), the 6 Nations has been dominating the rugby headlines because, for a short period, it brings many people together who otherwise would not watch rugby. However, this popularity affects Aviva Premiership, Magners League and Top 14 in various ways.

The Aviva Premiership has already seen a drop of, on average, 2000 spectators per match. This may not seem like much but with the average ticket costing £25 that means a loss of approximately £50000 per match for each club. The Magners League has been affected much more by a drop in attendances, with an average drop of 4000 spectators, which equates to a loss of €75000 due to cheaper tickets. And then the Top 14, which averages an attendance of 9100 per match has seen a 2000 spectator drop like the Aviva Premiership – a loss of €60000 per match.

The Six Nations also acts as a test of the clubs’ resources. As per usual, certain clubs (i.e Ospreys and Leinster) are affected more than others, which has a significant effect on their performances and results: in these past few weeks, these teams previously high playing standards have dropped causing games to be closer and sometimes lost as a result. The Magners League teams are most affected because, in Ireland, there are 4 but it is mainly Munster and Leinster who are called upon, in Scotland, there are 2 teams (Glasgow and Edinburgh) who have 8 and 6 players taken from them, and, in Wales, there are 4 teams, with 2 teams (Ospreys and Scarlets) called upon more, like Ireland. In the Aviva Premiership, it is Northampton and Leicester who have the most players involved in the England team: both with 4. However, as Northampton have only been in the Aviva Premiership for 3 years now, they, as a squad, are not used to this lack of players and it has shown through their league position: before the Six Nations, they were top of the league but have since been losing many of their games because they lack cutting edge without Foden and Ashton. And although this can provide a more even playing field for all clubs in the league, I think that it sends out the wrong message to clubs about having international players.

(Thanks Cian... a controversial one, but a good point)