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Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby Ben Ward could be forgiven for raging against the system, but with less than a week to go before they kick off their rebranded CHAMP Rugby campaign away to Bedford Blues, the London side’s long-time boss is upbeat and counting down till it all starts again.
For three of the past four seasons Ealing have finished top, only to have their hopes of promotion to the Gallagher PREM dashed due to their facilities at Trailfinders Sports Club failing to meet PREM requirements.
Work has been ongoing over recent years to bring it up to the 5,000 capacity needed, there are two 3G pitches, and vastly improved gym facilities. It hosts Trailfinders Women’s Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) matches and was good enough for Super League when London Broncos had their most recent season in rugby league’s top tier, but it is only Doncaster Knights’ Castle Park that has met PREM Rugby’s minimum requirements.
PLAYOFF FEVER
Still, Ward is taking a more holistic approach to the coming season, aware that the league’s rebrand, television streaming deal, two more clubs, and return of the playoffs gives it a better chance to show off its charms.
“It is definitely now a case of having our destiny in our own hands as such,” Ward told ATR. “The formation of the Tier Two Board is important. From that you see that we want to attract attention, have a broadcast deal and develop this league in a certain way. They are all positives, and having the playoffs back is too. Ultimately, we can only control what we can control.
“We’ve hosted a Premiership Cup semifinal here. This ground hosted Super League, it has hosted the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) final and now hosts PWR rugby. We have the support to make this a fantastic facility, and we love training and playing here.”
Ward is now in his 21st year with Ealing. He originally joined as a fresh-faced flyhalf during his university days playing for beer tokens, became a player coach, and then took on the top job after Ealing’s first year in CHAMP Rugby in 2013-14 when they finished bottom.
REIGNING CHAMP CHAMPS
The last team to stop the west Londoners topping the table were Jersey Reds, who went to the wall soon after. It means Worcester Warriors admittance adds a genuine title contender for the first time in three years.
The playoffs are another addition. The expansion to 14 teams means two more home matches, and if you finish in the top three, you’ll have one more on top of that. It means teams that slipped away at the end of the season have plenty to keep them interested as the season draws on.
“We’re excited,” Ward said. “The playoff format will be exciting as even when we’ve won, the season almost ends up as a bit of a damp squib at the end.
“The way Doncaster Knights and Bedford Blues ended the season mean they’ll be there. Then you add Worcester Warriors to that, you always have Cornish Pirates, and Hartpury were good last year. It makes it exciting, as anybody can beat anybody on their day.”
Ealing’s model since Ward took charge has been to give those discarded by PREM clubs the chance to build a body of work and experience. Hooker Matt Cornish is one. He joined as a scholar, played in the first team, and then left for London Irish when they were in the top-flight. When the Exiles went bust, he had no hesitation in returning.
RETURNING HEROES
At the other end Ward has extended the playing life of high-profile players, as ex-England international Billy Twelvetrees and ex-Wales scrumhalf Lloyd Williams will attest to. Intriguingly, both will return to Vallis Way this season, as part of the Worcester Warriors squad.
Then there are the southern hemisphere players. Australian flanker Carlo Tizzano joined and tore up the league for half a season. That caused the reborn Super Rugby franchise Western Force to swoop, and Wallabies selection soon followed. Jordy Reid was another Australian who made his mark and earned a move to Gloucester before he too came back to west London.
“Getting that balance right with recruitment has been one of our learnings over the years and we don’t get it all right,” Ward said. “Our model has been a sprinkling of experience with a lot of hungry young guys.
“We have an identity and an expectation we play attacking and powerful rugby. The product is pretty good. If you want to watch a good game of rugby you can watch one in the CHAMP and it is usually high-scoring, end to end stuff. For whatever reason, it has never been shouted about, so let’s get it out there and try and take a leap forward.”