Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Premiership gears up for new season with battle for eyeballs never greater

Bath’s Finn Russell offloads from a tackle by WillGriff John of Sale; Fin Smith of Northampton Saints lifts the Premiership trophy; and the Fiji outside-centre and captain Waisea Nayacalevu
Bath’s Finn Russell is tackled by WillGriff John of Sale; Fin Smith of Northampton lifts the Premiership trophy; and the Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who has signed for Sale. Composite: Shutterstock; Getty Images; AFP/Getty Images

RFU, PRL, PGP, PRB, IDP, TNT, CVC, RPA – drowning in alphabet soup yet? Welcome to English rugby’s new frontier, where it seems there is no problem too big that an acronym cannot solve. Given the addition of a few more over the summer, maybe it is not complete coincidence that Premiership directors of rugby were recently given a lesson in language.

It is said they were all called into a meeting room and encouraged to be more strident in their public views for the coming season. To embrace and celebrate the gladiatorial nature of the sport, rather than shy away from it. In short, to sex things up a bit.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.