Agents Poll: The best and worst destination clubs in the Premiership
The recent stories regarding players at Saracens and their business interests away from rugby – and a possible connection with breaching the salary cap – have dominated the news in recent weeks.
Saracens’ signing of Elliot Daly added fuel to the fire this season about how the north London club were able to do so whilst still adhering to the cap, but there is much more to players moving clubs or opting to re-sign with their current one, than simply the money on offer.
We polled 13 leading agents on what their top three destinations were for players within the Gallagher Premiership, as well as the three destinations that they were least likely to advise their clients towards.
Putting aside money, which is a great leveller across the competition, what is it that makes clubs appealing to players?
Starting with the most desirable destination, Exeter Chiefs were remarkably selected by all 13 agents as one of their top three clubs, with effusive praise for what the side from the south-west has done.
“The culture that Rob Baxter has created there is a massive pulling factor” were the words of one agent, whilst another polled said that there’s “a chance to win, there’s great coaching and they make you a better player.” The quality of life and attractiveness of the location was also mentioned and was second only to the London clubs in terms of frequency of citation.
Saracens were next up, following close on Exeter’s heels with 11 of the 13 listing them among their top three, with agents quick to mention how good they are to work with.
“You’re London-based, you win stuff, they make you a better player, they look after you like no other club and if you’re a regular starter, there’s a good chance you’ll get capped” was the response of one person polled, whilst others mentioned the off-field success players there can achieve, as well as the attractiveness of the location.
The votes were a lot more split behind those two perennial title challengers, however, with Harlequins making it into five top threes, whilst Northampton Saints and Bath both made it into four. Gloucester were the other side to make the cut, with two agents including them in their selections.
With Quins, location and stadium were both given as reasons, as well as the brand of rugby they play, whilst Saints were praised for their honesty in and speed of negotiations, with the club from the East Midlands usually keen to conduct their business early and give players time to plan moves or know that they are staying in the area for another season.
The facilities, ambition and link with Bath University were all reasons given in regard to Bath, as well as there still being an “aura around the club and a feeling if that they can get it right, they could fly.” As for Gloucester, their upward trajectory under David Humphreys and Johan Ackermann was mentioned.
Unfortunately, it can’t all be positive and there were some notable trends among the Premiership clubs listed as less desirable destinations for players.
N.B. Of the 13 agents polled, one wasn’t comfortable giving a bottom three, so the maximum possible selections for each club in this section were 12.
Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors both led the way with nine selections, with the threat of relegation understandably at play for both of those sides.
On Newcastle, one agent said, “location is not the most appealing, they aren’t the best communicators and Premiership stability is a question,” whilst another raised the issue that it is “not seen as a club you can really progress at, with the exception of Mark Wilson.” Comments on Worcester were similar, with another stating that “it’s a fight for survival every year and not the most desirable place to live.”
Wasps were next up with seven selections, with their training facilities cited by most respondents, whilst another said there are “a lot of off-field distractions and a big crop of homegrown players have left. They’re about to go through some rebuilding.”
Sale Sharks followed that with five selections and a lack of communication and feedback from the club was questioned, whilst Leicester Tigers (three) and Bristol Bears (two) were the other sides to receive multiple selections. Quins were listed by one agent and they are the only club to appear in both the top three and bottom three selections.
What the poll revealed is that away from financial security, the primary motivators for players to move are their ambitions to win things.
As runaway leaders in the top threes, the positions of Exeter and Saracens in the Premiership table and their ability to compete on multiple fronts each season are impossible to ignore. With that culture and environment that has been created, their competitiveness at the top of the table and in Europe, not to mention their attractive locations, is it any wonder that players are willing to pass up some earnings to stay or move there?
Unfortunately for Newcastle and Worcester, that is mirrored at the bottom of the table, where players and agents are reluctant to move to sides that are threatened by the spectre of relegation.
Everything is dealt with on a player-by-player basis, however, and one agent opted not to give a top or bottom three, based on the fact that they felt it was an impossible question to answer, with certain clubs fits for certain players, whilst they wouldn’t be for others.
The poll does show, though, the importance of factors such as environment, culture, training facilities and open and honest coaching staffs, and although titles are not something a club can necessarily offer in the short-term, all of these other factors can be improved and highlighted regardless.
No one is suggesting that potential success is not the biggest lure at Exeter or Saracens, but there are lessons to be learned there for other clubs. If culture can be a swing factor in recruitment and player retention, it could be decisive in bringing about on-field success. With the latter of those two seemingly impossible without the former, it’s a good starting point for clubs looking to build a side capable of taking them to the top.
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Comments on RugbyPass
When Sth Africa had Joost and Honiball at 9 and 10 they were almost impenetrable in and around the ruck. Even Jonah couldn't make headway in those channels so they were very hard to get in behind. They had a fantastic side who played a fast, rugged style which won them the Tri Nations during that period. That side would beat their current mob of which I have no doubt.
2 Go to commentsAwesome win by the NZ U20s. They were excellent in the 2nd half with some very patient and accurate phase play, a dominant scrum and decent lineout. Simpson controlled things very well at 10 and it was amazing to see the team maintain their composure and score points when he was in the sin bin for a very harsh yellow card.
2 Go to commentscome on Toulouse
1 Go to commentsNot unless the cartels get interested in rugby like they did w football
1 Go to commentsYes Dobbo, you were absolute crap. Start respecting the ball and possession. If you played rugby instead of basketball against the Ospreys, you would have been n the top two now, not fifth! If you attractively and entertainingly throw the ball around for 80 minutes and lose, WE DON’T FKN ENJOY IT!
1 Go to commentsWe need a system of transfer fees. A club shouldn’t just get to sign Will Harrison when he’s been funded in NSW his entire rugby life because they have more money.
87 Go to commentsThat the pain experienced by SH clubs poached mercilessly by NH friends being now felt by the non-elite NH clubs delivers me an element of schadenfreude but if it expands the amount of poachees and opens the eyes of those new to the group then it serves a purpose. In my pessimistic (realistic?) moments I see Oz clubs in the future acting solely as feeders for France and Japan. It’s a real possibility without change
87 Go to commentswhy is this garbage rival sport that’s poaching rugby talents being promoted on a rugby website backed by world rugby again?
5 Go to comments“Ou Lem” leading that ‘98 team to a 13-3 victory was the stuff of legend! Especially since we hadn’t beaten them for many years. 10/12/13 combo of Honiball, Pieter Muller & Andre Snyman were tough as nails! I remember screaming my head off in the early hours of the morning & my brother hitting a hole through one of the bedroom doors🤭😂
2 Go to commentsWhatever about 2017 - it's seven years ago and irrelevant now. In 2021 New Zealand needed a numerical advantage for 75% of the game and what was then the largest home advantage crowd in the history of the sport in order to just _barely_ beat England.
3 Go to commentsBoth cards were harsh. Yet again highlighting rugby's inconsistencies and the absurd effect of cards
2 Go to commentsExcellent game management in the last 15 or so minutes to close it out. Aussie got a bit panicky.
2 Go to commentsWhile all this is going on… I’ve been thinking more about the NFL draft system and how to make the commercial elements of the game more sustainable for SA teams who precariously live on the fringe of these developments. SA teams play in Europe now, and are welcome, because there’s a novelty to it. SA certainly doesn’t bring the bucks (like a Japan would to SR) but they bring eyes to it. But if they don’t perform (because they don’t have the money like the big clubs) - it’s easy come easy go… I think there is an element of strategic drafting going on in SA. Where the best players (assets) are sort of distributed amongst the major teams. It’s why we’re seeing Moodie at the Bulls for example and not at his homegrown Western Province. 20-30 years ago, it was all about playing for your province of birth. That has clearly changed in the modern era. Maybe Moodie couldn’t stay in the cape because at the time the Stormers were broke? Or had too many good players to fit him in? Kistchoff’s sabbatical to Ireland and back had financial benefits. Now they can afford him again (I would guess). What I am getting at is - I think SA Rugby needs to have a very strong strategy around how teams equitably share good youth players out of the youth structures. That is SA’s strong point - a good supply of good players out of our schools and varsities. It doesn’t need to be the spectacle we see out of the states, but a system where SA teams and SA rugby decide on where to draft youth, how to fund this and how to make it that it were possible for a team like the Cheetahs (for example) to end up with a team of young stars and win! This is the investment and thinking that needs to be happening at grassroots to sustain the monster meanwhile being created at the top.
87 Go to commentsGreat win - but very poor officiating yet again. Even the Aussie commentators slammed the YC decisions.
2 Go to commentsThe game where it felt like RSA was going to lose the most was the England game in my view. Heart in throat after the Farrell drop-goal…Amazing that the boks overcame 3 times in a row…not likely to be repeated ever in my view Also the boys looked emotionally spent in the England game in the 1st half That said, why was World Rugby and Beaumont allowed to stack the pools in England’s favour? Toughest opponents on that side of the draw were Fiji, Argentina (implode central) and Auckland Girls 2nd team
58 Go to commentsOnline trolls - the only ppl who the Crusaders can beat
2 Go to commentsDefinitely some greater nous by the Walleroos and it will take a bit of time for Jo Yapp to have a lasting affect. Canada are a forward dominated physical team and only the top 3 teams can match them, though not so sure about BF’s forwards. Many of Canada’s forwards earn their living in the English PWR, the breeding ground for the Red Roses amazing strength in depth. The next PAC4 matches will be interesting.
1 Go to commentsIs the Club World Cup and the World League, in combination, going to make or break world Rugby? I personally think it’s too much. Established tournaments and competitions’s significance is going to be drowned out by “the new shiney Mall built just down the street”.
87 Go to commentsLoved Carr‘s post match interview. “No, I don’t think so Jean. But thank you.” Good kid. Louw a certain feature for the Boks this year.
1 Go to comments“Where is the challenge to Leinster, Toulouse and La Rochelle likely to come from in future?” Racing 92 ? This has not been a good season for them this year, but they have a very strong squad……players like Woki, Nyakane, Kolisi, Le Roux, Lauret(these two older now), Le Garrec, Fickou, Tuisova, Arundell. With the addition next year of Owen Farrell, that is some firepower to mount a serious challenge ? And with Stuart Lancaster having a year under his belt, things should go better. Northampton will be a year wiser, more streetwise too. And I would expect one or two of the South African sides to mount a more serious challenge, but that would depend on keeping more players at home
87 Go to comments