Former Fylde RFC coach hopes clubs can eventually move forward

The challenge for National League rugby union clubs such as Fylde RFC is to come through 2021 as strongly as possible, ready for a revamped league the year after.
Former Fylde RFC head coach Warren SpraggFormer Fylde RFC head coach Warren Spragg
Former Fylde RFC head coach Warren Spragg

That’s the view of Fylde’s former head coach Warren Spragg, who has left the club to assume a full-time role as kicking coach with Premiership club Sale Sharks.

Spragg was not a supporter of the restructure, which will see the current two regionalised divisions of 16 clubs at Fylde’s level (National Two) become three divisions of 14.

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However, he does back the Rugby Football Union’s decision to delay the switch until 2022/23 as the game faces more urgent priorities.

In his last interview with The Gazette before leaving his Woodlands post, Spragg remained hopeful that next season would begin as normal in September and was pleased that Fylde would have one more campaign in National Two North in its present form.

He said: “I think that decision is right because it would be harsh to change the structure in the current situation. Let’s have another crack at the league as it is and then reform in 2022.

“But a lot of what happens next season will be determined by where clubs are financially after the pandemic.

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“I do expect there will be an imbalance next season between clubs who emerge strongly from the pandemic and those who are struggling financially.

“But hopefully that will sort itself out for 2022 and we can start with the new structure and some strong competitions.”

The revamp will mean four fewer league games per season for Fylde but also 10 additional clubs across the National Two structure.

Neither of those prospects appealed to Spragg, who felt that 10 more clubs would dilute the quality of ‘community’ rugby’s second tier, though he says there are now far more important considerations for the game.

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He added: “The format is not my preference. I’d have preferred to see National One split into two (north and south) and National Two stay with two divisions.

“But it is what it is. The decisions have been made and the important thing is for clubs to get through the next six to 12 months and be ready for the new structure in 2022.

“What league each club is in is not really what matters right now. It is about clubs moving forward beyond the pandemic in the best way possible.”

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