Raiders back overhaul of community rugby

It emerged over the weekend that the RFU Council has voted in favour of capping the size of the National Leagues – Levels 3 and 4 in the structure – at 14 teams, reduced from 16, and a structured season will contain a protected two-week break over Christmas as well as protected weekend breaks elsewhere in the programme.

The new measures, which have also been applied to the levels below the National Leagues, aim to be more appealing to players so they balance their rugby commitments with their time away from the sport. The changes are also aiming to arrest a decline in the number players in the community game.

‘It’s really good, I’m all for it,’ said Reynolds, whose Raiders side earned promotion back to National Two earlier this year when the 2019-20 season ended prematurely due to the pandemic.

‘We are one of the clubs who have a smaller squad, so it plays into our hands more.’

Reynolds revealed that coaches had been asked for their input during lockdown and the main thing that had come from them was that clubs were playing too many games at National League level.

‘Last time we were in National Two [2018-19], the first break we had was at Christmas – we played 16 straight games without a break and that’s insane,’ he said of that 30-match programme.

‘Personally, I think 24 games a season would be perfect, but having 26 a season is reasonable. The difference between 26 and 30 is a helluva lot.

‘When we were consulted during lockdown, the point I made was that we have to be able to allow players to have a holiday without being subjected to rugby because if we keep asking them to look at rugby as the be-all and end-all every week, they are going to lose interest.’

The RFU’s evidence backs up that viewpoint with the number of teams reducing and players are choosing to play fewer games in a season.

‘Our fundamental goal is to deliver a competitions structure that works for today’s players and for the players of the future,’ said Stephen Pearson, chair of the Future Competitions Structure Group who conducted the research.

‘Our recommendations reflect growing feedback from players that shorter bursts of intense rugby are preferable to a long, extended season.

‘Players have reiterated they need breaks in the season and would prefer more localised fixtures.

‘We believe that less intensity to the league system, with shorter travel times to and from games, are important features that today’s players want in their competition structure, to help fit within busy lives.’

Leagues from level five – which is the level from which Guernsey Raiders have just won promotion – will be capped at 12 teams.

Reynolds suggested that the restructuring could see National Two broken down into three divisions rather than the two – North and South – it has now.

No matter how it is configured, though, Guernsey’s aims for the 2021-22 season are clear, Covid permitting.

‘We need to have a good season to stay in National Two and that’s where we want to be,’ Reynolds said.

‘Ultimately, I think it will be the perfect competition for us so it is really important we have a good season and probably look to sit somewhere in mid-table so that we are in National Two when the restructuring takes place.

‘I have been speaking to the players and they are really keen for this [restructuring] as well because it benefits us.

‘Last time we were in National Two we had a squad of 32, which was nowhere near enough for that season [of 30 games].

‘I think we would get away with the squad we have now in a reduced National Two, although, in saying that, our squad is getting bigger now with the Vikings.

‘We probably have 35 ready to play at that level now and hope to develop a few more.’