It's a scandal of epic proportions – a high-octane showdown between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs, with 82,000 screaming fans packing out the Allianz Stadium, yet somehow the Premiership Rugby final gets relegated to a backwater on the sporting calendar. That's the stark reality according to former England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips, who's blasting the scheduling of the showpiece event.
Phillips is incensed that the rugby spectacle was squeezed onto ITV4, while the Queen's Club tennis extravaganza stole the limelight on BBC1 – a broadcasting bone of contention that leaves the Premiership Rugby final fighting for airtime with horse racing coverage taking centre stage on ITV's flagship channel. It's a damning indictment of the current state of affairs, with one of the biggest sporting events in the UK calendar being forced to play second fiddle.
The former international ace believes the perennial problem of major multi-sport events like the World Cup, European Championships or Olympics dominating the spring schedule is the root cause of rugby's relegation. Phillips has called for a radical overhaul of the rugby calendar, inspired by ideas from former World Rugby vice-chairman Agustín Pichot.
His bold plan would see the Six Nations kick off the season, allowing players to be razor-sharp from the get-go. This would then be followed by domestic Premiership and Top 14/URC action over the summer months, with a streamlined European competition providing a thrilling climax to the season. The current system's limitations are laid bare, with Phillips highlighting that the Premiership Rugby final often finds itself in direct competition with late-night boxing or pay-per-view events like the Solheim Cup.
By re-jigging the calendar, Phillips believes the Premiership Rugby final can secure a coveted 3pm Saturday afternoon slot – potentially clashing with Premier League football but earning significant TV leverage due to fewer direct sporting competitors at that specific time. It's an achievable solution that would undoubtedly elevate the profile of one of the UK's premier sporting events.