Magners leaving Guinness in the poor place

It started as a bit of prematch banter, but Huw Richards thinks there may be something in the idea that in rugby the Magners (Celtic) League is spectacularly outgunning the Guinness Premiership in England.

Northampton play Scottish Borders today, while Cardiff entertain Leicester at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow. These contests between members of England's Guinness Premiership and the Magner's Celtic League follow the opening weekend's 4-0 clean sweep in head-to-heads by the Celts.

Following on from the vicissitudes of the national team, club failures are a further blow to the confidence and self-esteem of English rugby.

There's a whole season ahead yet, so it may be premature to pronounce the death of English club rugby. Northampton seems to be turning the tables on Border Scots at least.