In 1991, as I strived for a starting place on the wing against the mighty All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup, I had to go north for a wedding and in order to recover from a slight injury I found myself training alone on a sand-based rugby pitch on the Wirral. It was my first experience of Caldy, the closest ground I could find and now one of the top twenty clubs in the country. A warmer welcome you cannot find in English Rugby, a community club playing elite rugby and with a clubhouse difficult to extract yourself from post-match.

It was there last weekend that the first professional league championship of this 24/25 season was decided, my own club Ealing Trailfinders proving too strong for Caldy but not until they had made their quality felt in a tough match. The third Championship in four years for the men in Green seemed pivotal for their promotion prospects given their six victories over Premiership opposition in the last 12 months. Instead, they have been disgracefully blocked from a playoff against the stricken Falcons in the league above. Their facilities are apparently substandard, despite the fact that you can play Professional Football and Rugby League at Vallis Way, which is a multi-sport centre of excellence and arguably a vibrant and exemplary model for the growth opportunity the game seeks.

The new Chair of Tier 2, Simon Gillham, has now made it crystal clear the for him aspiration and jeopardy is integral to rugby in this country, as it is in France where a phenomenal season finale is in progress to decide promotion and relegation and his own club Brive is hugely involved. Thus a collision course is set against a strongly argued and in some ways understandable demand by the Premiership for survival and renewal at the top through a franchise system, itself given energy by the systemic underfunding of the second division of clubs in the country. It has been sadly and inexplicably endorsed by an RFU Executive entitled to personal thoughts but who continue to act with impunity and without mandate rather than on behalf of the game at large. The tipping point for rugby in this country is near and the big imponderable is that if a middle way exists which is not a fudge, who has the bravery and the leadership to build that consensus. And if not…

Meantime, both Bath and Northampton Saints, clearly the top two sides in English rugby, warmed up for their European Finals in Cardiff with stunning wins of different kinds. Bath recalled the glories of yesteryear in not just defeating old rivals Leicester Tigers, but rubbing their noses in it with two tries in the last 5 minutes. I love it when opposing coaches (Cheika!!) claim to have been in the game for long periods- which they were – and so were a bit unlucky. The Champion sides of the past at Bath often put that kind of icing on a cake leaving their opponents clutching at air and straws. There can be no higher praise. Lyon will definitely turn up at Cardiff, and their President Yann Roubert is one of the most respected figures in French rugby. But Bath have quality in depth and pretensions to go with it. Tough to see them passing this one up after so many years in the wilderness. This is their time as it should be for the Premiership. The ‘One to Win’, the Champions Cup Final, could be a few years away however. Remember they were squeezed by a lowly La Rochelle in Round 1, Benetton in Round 2 and despite a brave display were pumped by Leinster in Dublin by 30 points. All part of the development and the Van Graan grand plan.

Saints won a dramatic cliffhanger, don’t they always, against the rebuilding Saracens for their own warm up and gave themselves a great shot in the arm, sadly offset by a few injuries they cannot afford against the boys from Bordeaux who are on a mission. Any team which wins away against the Bulls, Munster and Leinster knows that they will thrive in the white hot surroundings of Cardiff. Four Lions on show against half of the French National side and with an attacking mindset to boot all promise a classic. The Saints supporters will travel with no fear like their team.

I pay tribute to the Champions and Challenge Cup this year. I know I am biased but the quality and intensity of some of the contests have resembled International rugby in club jerseys. Great credit goes to all the domestic leagues whose club sides are producing huge entertainment for younger crowds in record numbers. All eyes will therefore be on Cardiff ( how I wish I could be there) which can forget other woes for a weekend and two English wins would be a huge achievement. Those with even a short memory will recall the thumpings handed out to English sides earlier in the competition so it is a little premature to herald a collective pre-eminence for the Premiership in Europe as yet. Rather, these are two really well coached sides with a star quality Lions-style attacking mindset allied to self-discipline and a sense of family. Those ingredients are priceless and stuff of Champions. We shall see, what drama in prospect.

But let us not forget though that on Saturday in South West London another professional team will be lifting a Cup of significance, seeking to be the best version of itself, and holding the candle of aspiration for all clubs as well as delivering a defiant message to administrators who would condone an attitude which is ‘anti sport’, to quote Mr Gillham again.

Finally we say farewell to two English rugby giants of the 21st century, the retiring Danny Care and Mike Brown. They have both made their voices heard over time, but they have also stressed how much they owe to the game and that it has made them the people they are. What better tribute to the values our game, let us hold them dear.

Hallers