Guinness Premiership

The Guinness Premiership is the present name for the leading rugby union league competition for English clubs. It has had the following sponsorship names in the past:

Related Topics:
Rugby union - English

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• Courage League: 1987–88 through 1996–97
• Allied Dunbar Premiership: 1997–98 through 1999–2000
• Zurich Premiership: 2000–01 through 2004–05

The league has traditionally been dominated by two clubs, Bath and Leicester.

Related Topics:
Bath - Leicester

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The RFU long resisted leagues as they believed that they would increase 'dirty' play and put pressure on clubs to pay their players (thus breaking the amateur ethos). Instead clubs arranged their own friendlies and had traditional games. The only 'competition' that existed was a county championship that was not very popular outside Cornwall.

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In 1972 the RFU sanctioned a knock-out cup now known as the Powergen Cup and this was followed in the late 80s by merit tables. One of the casualties of the move to competitive leagues was the loss of traditional games as the new fixture lists did not allow enough time for them.

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Clubs in the Guinness Premiership are allocated a £2.25m wage bill to pay their players in a season. This cap was raised from £2m in 2004-05, but many argue it should be higher. The RFU pay clubs £30,000 compensation a year per England player on the understanding they are released for international duty. The trouble is, it is hard to replace players of such calibre even with £30,000. It means many clubs are forced to play large chunks of the season without their best players.

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Debate rages over whether promotion and relegation should exist. Benefactors of Premiership clubs are reluctant, in some cases, to add further investment with the fear of relegation looming. Some believe removing that uncertainty would enable more investment, allowing the sport to grow.

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Guinness Premiership: Teams ►