The Gallagher Prem

This morning's announcement of The Gallagher Premiership being re-branded from next season to The Gallagher Prem has caused a stir in rugby circles. The traditionalists don't see any need for change and to a certain extent I understand that argument but on the other hand I've been calling it The Prem for a little while now. Probably more to do with me being lazy!

My view on it and on other things to target a younger market is, let's go with it and see what happens. At thirty seven I'm definitely not the younger target market that those that govern the game want to target. I was brought up on getting into The Shed at Gloucester two hours early to get a good spot, this led to brass bands playing or for those that know the charity balloon release where are the balloons were tied together. You got to watch players warm up and enjoy the banter between The Shed and those who missed kicks or one time when Harlequins did a team stretching warm up and The Shed responded with the hokey cokey. Those moments are priceless.

But I also recognise that the game needs to evolve to survive. Collisions can be celebrated and there's a new generation of player coming through. Henry Pollock is leading this charge and it's refreshing to see. Here's a few thoughts on what I would look to do with The Gallagher Prem.

Squad numbers

Football has it, cricket has it and so does rugby league. At the beginning of the season squad lists should get announced with each player designated a squad number that they wear on the back of their shirt for the season. Fans can then get their favourite player's name and number on the back. Especially the younger generation coming through this will appeal and especially at the moment I think they'd be getting sick of printing Pollock and a squad number on the back of Northampton shirts.

I'd also go as far as players can have what they want within reason on the back of their shirts. Trent Alexander-Arnold has just signed for Real Madrid and he now has Trent on the back of his. I'd embrace this in rugby, I know there was a bit of controversy when names and numbers were put on Six Nations shirts but then it just becomes part of the game. I'd also bring this in for the international game to have squad names and numbers at the beginning of at least a World Cup.

Go global

There's talk of games being back in the USA too, I know this annoys season ticket holders but for the growth of the game let's do it. If Newcastle Falcons get taken over by Red Bull they could play a game where other franchises are based. They could be in New York, Leipzig or Salzburg. If they wanted to get really creative Newcastle could be tied in with Red Bull racing on a Grand Prix weekend and this could be tied in with taking The Gallagher Prem to somewhere like Brazil, Las Vegas, Miami, Qatar or Abu Dhabi. If Red Bull came in at Newcastle that kind of thing really becomes an option. Saturday night after qualifying you have The Gallagher Prem as part of race weekend. I'm sure the players would be well up for something like that.

Embrace the characters

I'll use Henry Pollock as an example here, he has a personality and the game needs to embrace it. Take Ronaldo or Messi, the generation coming through more follow individuals so we need to get the individuals in our sport out there.

Use social media and embrace that within the game we have different personalities and let's get to know them.

Modernising season tickets

Yes, if I'm saying that games will be played elsewhere then there's a risk of upsetting season ticket holders. I'll speak for myself here as a Gloucester fan living in Newcastle, I'd be all for a digital season ticket which gives me access to interview and online events with players, coaches etc. We need to look beyond fans being happy with matches and the odd fans forum being included in their membership along with a discount at the club shop. As above clubs need to review their digital offering and have more exclusive online events for members with talk ins etc, fans can still be valued in a digital age.

Go big

We are in the entertainment business, let's entertain and bring in new audiences. Sam Fender is playing three nights at St James Park, imagine Newcastle Falcons booking him for a pre-match or half time show. Aim big and get big acts in front of our audiences, yes there's a cost involved but for the growth of the game it can get new eyes on our game.

Embrace it

I know some people will look at the above and think this isn't the rugby I know and would want to see. What I'd say to them is embrace it, if the game doesn't evolve then the game will regress. We need to bring the next generation into our sport through playing, administrating, coaching and supporting. The more eyes we got on our sport the better in my opinion. I'd be interested to know what the players want the future of the game to look like but also what do you guys reading this think? How do you see the future of the game?