SM
Man Utd vs. Chelsea: 20 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Danny Care believes World 12s competition may be just what rugby union needs

:Headline: Danny Care believes World 12s competition may be just what rugby union needs:
It is hoped that it will attract new fans.
Sports Mole

Danny Care approves of the new World 12s competition scheduled to launch next year in the belief it could be the spark needed to improve rugby as a spectacle.

Former England scrum-half Care was an influential figure as Harlequins lit up the Gallagher Premiership last season with a thrilling attacking style that swept them all the way to the title.

Just weeks after Quins had stormed Twickenham in swashbuckling fashion, the British and Irish Lions fought out a dreary three-Test series against South Africa that was a hard watch even for purists.

It is hoped that the World 12s, a competition that has similarities to cricket's Indian Premier League, will attract new fans by having fewer players on the pitch – 12 on each side – using adapted laws designed to speed up play in games that last only 30 minutes.

Taking place in August and September, the hope is that top players from across the world enticed by large salaries will be auctioned to appear for eight privately funded franchises.

It must first overcome several major stumbling blocks but while the response of governing bodies has so far been lukewarm, Care believes it could be the shake-up the sport needs.

"I can see issues with it, like player release, clubs and unions not wanting players to go and play it, but I do see the sport needing change," Care said at the virtual 2021-22 Premiership launch.

Danny Care helped Harlequins win the Gallagher Premiership last season (Steven Paston/PA)

"If you watch the majority of international Test matches at the moment, if New Zealand and France aren't playing then it doesn't really excite me, I'll be honest with you.

"If there are any ways of trying to change that and inspire kids to pick up a rugby ball then I'm all for it.

"I tried to get my son to watch the Lions tour and he was like 'what is this'? I'd like to think our club tries to play in a way that inspires kids to play.

"I know international rugby is very different to club rugby and they say 'you can't play like that in international rugby'. Why not? Why can't you? You can if your coaches let you play like that.

“If there are any ways of trying to change that and inspire kids to pick up a rugby ball then I'm all for it”
- Danny Care

"Maybe the 12s thing is an opportunity for coaches to look at that and think 'maybe we could play more of an expansive game'.

"It's certainly something I'd want to watch and maybe get involved in – if I make the auction!"

Exeter boss Rob Baxter fears the competition will put players and clubs in a difficult position and the problems surrounding player release are the biggest hurdle it faces.

Care, however, insists players would welcome the opportunity to earn more money.

"If we have all the best English players playing in England for the majority of the year, the English team is going to be better," Care said.

"Let them do that, but also allow them to go and earn a bit of money. Let's be honest, not many players earn enough to not have to go and work the day after they retire.

"We're very lucky to do what we do but it's not cricket, certainly not football, so if we can bring more money into the sport and attract more who want to play it then it's only a good thing for the game."

body check tags ::

amp_article__462996 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-09 21:11:45:
html db last update - 2021-09-09 21:11:45 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Danny Care

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
MS
Read Next:
Harlequins expecting to lose Marcus Smith to England duty
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Danny Care Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Harlequins expecting to lose Marcus Smith to England duty
Pain for Guardiola! Champions Man City shocked by Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium
The Porto plan: Real Madrid goalkeeper to be part of £67m swap?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Arsenal105321711618
5Aston Villa95311611518
6Chelsea95221911817
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
8Bournemouth104331312115
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
11Brentford94141818013
12Fulham93331212012
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Erling Haaland's record vs. Bournemouth

1

EH

Bournemouth vs. Man City: Head-to-head record and past meetings

2

BV

Reports suggest Audi-Sauber seals Bortoleto deal

NEW

3

RS

Down to bare bones: Double Man City injury blow confirmed after Bournemouth loss

NEW

4

DT

Slot at the summit: Liverpool top the table with comeback Brighton win

5

SA

Team News: Man Utd vs. Chelsea injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Phil Foden's record vs. Bournemouth

7

PF

What's next for Ruud? Man United players 'make feelings clear' on Van Nistelrooy

8

WN

Pain for Guardiola! Champions Man City shocked by Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium

9

PF

Team News: Barcelona vs. Espanyol injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

10

TN


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .