Rugby Premiership average crowds

[Abel Tasman]

Not sure what I dislike more the game itself, the americanised names with fluffy animals and pantomime characters. or the whole middle class vibe around it.

You are talking about the English game and I can empathise with that view but it certainly is not a class game in Wales, Ireland, France or here in NZ where it is played by everyone. Grass roots rugby is trying hard to involve communities and clubs are doing their very best with very limited funds. The English professional league is in crisis because of the lack of interest by big sponsors and lack of interest given the dominance of football in your country.

 

[SmallTown]

Not sure what I dislike more the game itself, the americanised names with fluffy animals and pantomime characters. or the whole middle class vibe around it. I tried watching it when I was in my 20s, I tried to get excited about england winning the world cup, but I just can't feel anything watching it.

Looking at those figures, unless harlequinns are playing at twickenham, it must be rare for more than 100,000 people to watch live professional rugby union over a weekend, more people watch League One don't they?

Yes, but football is a different animal to rugby. I would suggest, given the middle class comment, that your dislike of rugby is based on prejudice rather than the sport itself?

 

[SCG]

I have a half-serious belief that very few people English people actually like rugby. They're just brainwormed by Guinness each Six Nations to get out to the pub and pretend to care about the game. People shouting and cheering throughout the game, but then as soon as it’s finished they're perfectly ambivalent.

A fair few who go to 6 Nations games just go for the drink, they have no idea of the players or how the game works, it’s a day out on the booze.

And RU fans are worse than Football fans for Anti-social behaviour especially when you add drugs into the mix.

 

[BoroMart]

I’m not really a rugby fan but some of the international games particularly when they are close can be superb sporting contests.

I did watch a World Cup game at the Olympic stadium. I tried edit: just checked South Africa vs USA, it was very one sided

 

[SmallTown]

A fair few who go to 6 Nations games just go for the drink, they have no idea of the players or how the game works, it’s a day out on the booze.

And RU fans are worse than Football fans for Anti-social behaviour especially when you add drugs into the mix.

I would disagree strongly with this. Have had some superb away days and only really head trouble from one old, drunken exeter fan. I've always liked the camaraderie between rugby fans

 

[HolgateCorner]

I did watch a World Cup game at the Olympic stadium. I tried

I’m like you in that I’m not keen on the old school tie part of rugby union.

 

[BoroMart]

Yes, but football is a downy animal to rugby. I would suggest, given the middle class comment, that your dislike of rugby is based on prejudice rather than the sport itself?

I’d say influenced by more than based on. I like watching tennis which is middle class. So it’s more than just that

 

[SCG]

I would disagree strongly with this. Have had some superb away days and only really head trouble from one old, drunken exeter fan. I've always liked the camaraderie between rugby fans

Well I’ve been in Leicester on more than a few Tigers matchdays and that’s what i see.

 

[BebingtonFox]

Well I’ve been in Leicester on more than a few Tigers matchdays and that’s what i see.

Just to add balance , I've seen around 15 Championship games this season, 6 or 7 Premiership games and a few level 5. You get banter but fortunately for me nothing like you describe. It's a shame that's been your experience.

 

[SmallTown]

Just to add balance , I've seen around 15 Championship games this season, 6 or 7 Premiership games and a few level 5. You get banter but fortunately for me nothing like you describe. It's a shame that's been your experience.

Same, I have been to most quins home games for the past 15 years and 1 or 2 away games a year and have never seen anything like that. Even the noisy anger of the Shed at Gloucester calms down once the game is over.

 

[SmallTown]

I’d say influenced by more than based on. I like watching tennis which is middle class. So it’s more than just that

Probably wasn't a necessary comment then. But fine, you don't like a sport. Thanks for mentioning on a thread discussing that sport.

 

[BoroMart]

Probably wasn't a necessary comment then. But fine, you don't like a sport. Thanks for mentioning on a thread discussing that sport.

Thanks for keeping up your ability to argue with anyone about anything ever.

The thread is discussing the crowds at that sport. I gave an opinion on why those crowds are small from my own experiences. Terribly sorry if alternate views to yours are too challenging for you to safely read without getting narky

 

[SmallTown]

Thanks for keeping up your ability to argue with anyone about anything ever.

The thread is discussing the crowds at that sport. I gave an opinion on why those crowds are small from my own experiences. Terribly sorry if alternate views to yours are too challenging for you to safely read without getting narky

Chill. I jsut hear a lot of the "oh I don't like rugby it's a middle class sport" BS and it's just reverse snobbery with nothing to back it up. You just seemed to be jumping on the thread to say how you don't like the topic being discussed. I never get that behaviour

 

[SmallTown]

Just to add balance , I've seen around 15 Championship games this season, 6 or 7 Premiership games and a few level 5. You get banter but fortunately for me nothing like you describe. It's a shame that's been your experience.

What team do you follow in the championship @BebingtonFox ?

 

[BebingtonFox]

What team do you follow in the championship @BebingtonFox ?

My son signed for Caldy this season . It's tough for them as they are part time in a full time league but they are hanging in there.

 

[Merlin]

Can’t stand rugby personally - I’d rather watch the grass growing than go see a game of rugger

 

[Nano]

I know a lot of people that get interested in rugby when the six nations, and other internationals, are on. I only know one who actually watches club rugby regularly (and he went to a private school). Even the people I know that play, or played, rugby don't watch club rugby. I live in the north west though and I know quite a lot of rugby league fans.

Seems to me like they would both really benefit by merging. It's probably sacrilege to say that but as an outsider it is baffling to have two niche sports that are so similar instead of combining them and reaping the benefits.

 

[BoroMart]

Chill. I jsut hear a lot of the "oh I don't like rugby it's a middle class sport" BS and it's just reverse snobbery with nothing to back it up. You just seemed to be jumping on the thread to say how you don't like the topic being discussed. I never get that behaviour

Most people don’t seem to get yours, it is what it is.

Bottom line is I’ve commented on the fact that it’s never really become a popular spectator event, I’ve given a couple of reasons. as a rugby fan that seems to have gone down badly with you. Don’t be so precious, sorry to break the safety of your echo chamber, accept other people have views that differ and quit pretending by that you know why based on one word in a post

 

[El Guapo]

I know a lot of people that get interested in rugby when the six nations, and other internationals, are on. I only know one who actually watches club rugby regularly (and he went to a private school). Even the people I know that play, or played, rugby don't watch club rugby. I live in the north west though and I know quite a lot of rugby league fans.

Seems to me like they would both really benefit by merging. It's probably sacrilege to say that but as an outsider it is baffling to have two niche sports that are so similar instead of combining them and reaping the benefits.

I’m not sure league and union are that similar are they?

 

[SmallTown]

I know a lot of people that get interested in rugby when the six nations, and other internationals, are on. I only know one who actually watches club rugby regularly (and he went to a private school). Even the people I know that play, or played, rugby don't watch club rugby. I live in the north west though and I know quite a lot of rugby league fans.

Seems to me like they would both really benefit by merging. It's probably sacrilege to say that but as an outsider it is baffling to have two niche sports that are so similar instead of combining them and reaping the benefits.

I can't see that ever happening. I don't think either sport would like it. Whic is ironic given the two codes split becasue of money.

But no, they are two different games now. Although I'm glad union stole the 50-22 rule from league