Jonny Wilkinson.

Ringfencing of the premiership is something that is constantly rearing it's head, whether it be ugly or not we won't know unless it ever comes to fruition. The argument for seems to gain more and more traction each time it is discussed. The task to get this over the line lies in the ability to convince all the championship teams, who each year all push to make it into the premiership, that they would be better off if this was not an option. No easy feat at all.

Ridding the top flight of the relegation dog fight could mean teams play with more of a joi de vie, taking more risks on the field rather than trying and play it safe.

The most recent championship graduates, Newcastle Falcons, have started this premiership campaign this season with a audacious bang. Dean Richards, Newcastle's DoR has admitted that they've come out the blocks fresher than most of the other teams whom all suffered a very short turn around due to the global pandemic. The pandemic has also meant that recent form cannot be taken at face value. There is surely an argument that more rest time within a currently congested rugby season, would make for more competitive and exciting matches, not to mention the huge benefits in player welfare.

The national side could too fair better from a Ring-fenced premiership. Irish rugby certainly flourishes with the set up they have but with only four teams to manage it suits their circumstance. There should be no shame in replicating parts of existing league/sports/organisational structures that work well, there is a lot we can learn this way. An Irish system would likely fail to work for the RFU, but the emphasis on looking after the international players first and foremost, and using that as a springboard to develop future talent, should be a key factor for not just the English, but Rugby as a whole.

Is there another option than ring fencing completely. Building up walls and fences is not exactly in the spirit of the game, but complex laws, systems and structures definitely is. So how about a play off game, The winning team from the championship to play against the bottom team from the premiership in a format which gives the championship team a chance to prove themselves worthy of promotion and the relegated team a chance to retain their status as a premiership club. Especially as the championship has in recent times decided to forgo their own end of season play-off games. Surely this is a compromise between having a competitive league structure and security.

But is the system even broken? Or is there a just a greater analysis on sports in general at a time when there has been little else to occupy people's minds.

For me there probably has not been a better time or ever will make radical changes within a sport. As phrases like "the new normal" and "a little different" are now commonplace. This has been, for most, a time of in depth review and action. So perhaps it is time for change.

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#alesanatuilagi powering down the wing to score #leicestertigers #newcastlefalcons #samoarugby #rugby #rugbyunion #classicrugbyshirts www.classicrugbyshirts.com #rugbyhit #rugbyhits

Not a good game for Tongan & #ikaletahi players #halaniaulika #salesharks 30 - 39 #Gloucester #nililatu @latu7 @niahl2 #newcastlefalcons 3 - 30 #leicestertigers loosing with injuries #taulupefaletau #bath 19 - 25 #worcester #telesaveainu scored a try for #leicester #rugby #rugbyfans #primereshipcup #rugbyvideo #instarugby #rugbygram (at England)

Posted @withregram • @lovellrugby England and Newcastle back row Mark Wilson retires at 32 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😔 Wilson retires from rugby with immediate effect after winning 23 caps for England and appearing in a RWC final! 🌹 #lovellrugby | #englandrugby | #markwilson | #newcastlefalcons | #rugby

I miss these boys with all my heart they deserve the world.

@newcastlefalcons v @officialgloucesterrugby

‪Listed a good number of #newcastlefalcons #rugbyshirts this week including these with #Johnsmiths sponsor bit.ly/newcfalcons #classicrugbyshirts

The #tongan #magic #dancingfeet #telusaveainu #sidesteps 3 defenders to the tryline, then another one try assist. #incredible his team #leicestertigers #tigers #lei won over #newcastlefalcons 5 Tongan at the games. Leicester Tigers (Telusa Veainu, Sione Kalamafoni, Valentino Mapapalangi) vs New Castle Falcons (Nili Latu & Sonatane Takulua) All #ikaletahi players. #rugby #rugbyvideo

I don't know what is going on but this play seemed impressive. #londonirish #newcastlefalcons (at Madejski Stadium London Irish)

Saw the famous #ikaletahi & #newcastlefalcons #scrumhalf #9 #sonatanetakulua @tane_terri_takulua at departure lounge. Have to have a #selfie Malo Tane. #rugby #rugbyfans #instarugby #rugbygram #rugbyunion #tongan #redhat #picstagram #travelpic #traveltagram #holidayphoto #rugbyplayer #rugby #redfan #tonganhat (at Fuaʻamotu International Airport)

The Japan 2019 RWC draw. The 3 Pacific Islands:Tonga, Fiji and Samoa will all make it, but 1 (the bottom of the 3 Tri-Nation after July games) will have to go through 1-2 repecharges to qualify. As it stands after first round last year, Tonga is on the bottom. Tonga needs to beat Fiji and Samoa this July to automatically qualify. At the meantime, congratulations to the #ikaletahi #9 for winning the #newcastlefalcons try of the season. #rugby #rugbyfans #rwc (at Japan)

Man of the match #tongan #sonatanetakulua #rugby #rugbyfans #newcastlefalcons #falcons #pro12rugby Falcons won 46 - 31 to #northamptonsaints

3rd hat tricks try for #sonatanetakulua #tongan #rugby #newcastlefalcons #pro12

#tongan #sonatanetakulua 2nd try #newcastlefalcons #rugby #pro12

The #tongan player of year 2016 #scrumhalf #sonatanetakulua scored a try for #newcastlefalcons #falcons