Clear Championship leaders Ealing aim to bid again to get into the top flight, though it is felt they may be blocked again due to being unable to meet the strict stadium criteria.
Although Newcastle would be in danger of relegation if Ealing were able to win their case, flanker Neild insists: “Relegation and promotion were good for the league, and I am in favour of it. I feel it’s important to get that back into the game because it’s what made it so fascinating not just for players but also fans.
“When I played at Sale where relegation was the fear.... not for just the bottom club but those sitting above it in the table. It made for an exciting end to the season plus it gave other clubs from the Championship the opportunity to believe they could also play European rugby in the future either in the Challenge or Champions Cup. I’m a Newcastle player but I’d still be for it.
“Even though there’s some form of promotion and relegation on offer it doesn’t seem to be the correct form where certain teams cannot get promoted...or they need help to conform to whatever rules there are. “The football Premier League is the biggest in the world and they have it.”
Neild is targeting a silver lining end to what has been a frustrating season for him. He recovered from a broken forearm to finally make his competitive debut for the north east men last weekend.
He admits the injury which he sustained in a pre-season game against his former side Sale had been on his mind when he took the field against them again – this time in the Premiership Cup five months later.
But now, having come through his second half work-out with renewed confidence and excitement, he aims to kick on and make up for lost time – and try and help Falcons get to a cup final as they prepare for a last eight clash with holders Gloucester on Friday.
Neild insists: “It was just a great relief to be back on the field playing. It had taken a long time to repair. I’d hoped to have played more than 20 minutes in pre-season and then ha...
Although Newcastle would be in danger of relegation if Ealing were able to win their case, flanker Neild insists: “Relegation and promotion were good for the league, and I am in favour of it. I feel it’s important to get that back into the game because it’s what made it so fascinating not just for players but also fans.
“When I played at Sale where relegation was the fear.... not for just the bottom club but those sitting above it in the table. It made for an exciting end to the season plus it gave other clubs from the Championship the opportunity to believe they could also play European rugby in the future either in the Challenge or Champions Cup. I’m a Newcastle player but I’d still be for it.
“Even though there’s some form of promotion and relegation on offer it doesn’t seem to be the correct form where certain teams cannot get promoted...or they need help to conform to whatever rules there are. “The football Premier League is the biggest in the world and they have it.”
Neild is targeting a silver lining end to what has been a frustrating season for him. He recovered from a broken forearm to finally make his competitive debut for the north east men last weekend.
He admits the injury which he sustained in a pre-season game against his former side Sale had been on his mind when he took the field against them again – this time in the Premiership Cup five months later.
But now, having come through his second half work-out with renewed confidence and excitement, he aims to kick on and make up for lost time – and try and help Falcons get to a cup final as they prepare for a last eight clash with holders Gloucester on Friday.
Neild insists: “It was just a great relief to be back on the field playing. It had taken a long time to repair. I’d hoped to have played more than 20 minutes in pre-season and then ha...
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The Rugby Paper (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 23, 2025