Premiership Rugby Sees Fan Boost as High-Scoring Thrillers Take Center Stage

The recent West Country derby between Gloucester and Bristol Bears epitomised a trend towards high-octane, attacking rugby in the Gallagher Premiership. Gloucester's rampant 53-28 victory, featuring nine tries for the home side, delighted the capacity crowd at Kingsholm.

Both Bristol, long known for their running game under Pat Lam, and Gloucester, revitalised under attack coach James Lightfoot Brown, rank highly in league stats for metres made, line breaks, and offloads. While thrilling for fans, this style does lead to high points conceded totals as well – only bottom-placed Newcastle have conceded more than Bristol and Gloucester this season.

However, Directors of Rugby Pat Lam and George Skivington strongly advocate for this approach. Lam emphasized the importance of entertainment, stating, "People want to be entertained. Our game needs people coming to rugby... particularly the kids, that's our future." He pointed to sell-out crowds at Gloucester and strong attendance at Bristol as evidence.

Skivington echoed this sentiment, pushing back against negativity surrounding the sport after recent financial woes saw Worcester, Wasps, and London Irish fold. "I think attacks have just gone to another level... it's not a case of defence is disappearing, it's a case of attacks are really challenging defences," he explained. He also highlighted Seb Atkinson's hat-trick performance, suggesting the "relative unknown" centre has the potential for England honours.

The focus is on creating a positive spectacle that secures the Premiership's future by bringing in new, younger fans while still retaining the core elements appreciated by purists.

Why are high scores seen as good for Premiership Rugby?

High-scoring, attacking rugby is considered more entertaining and helps attract larger crowds, including younger fans, which is vital for the league's growth and financial health after recent difficulties.

Does this mean teams are ignoring defence?

Coaches argue that defences aren't necessarily weaker, but attacking strategies and execution have significantly improved, making games higher scoring.

Who were the standout players in the Gloucester vs Bristol match?

Gloucester's Christian Wade scored a record seventh Premiership hat-trick, and centre Seb Atkinson also scored three tries in a dominant performance.

This shift towards high-scoring games seems popular with many fans and crucial for the league. Do you prefer this style, or do you miss the lower-scoring defensive battles? Do you think this trend will last? Let us know!

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