Aviva Premiership preview: More noise, no salary cap, law changes... what the skippers want to see

There's plenty of opinions from this lot

Hugh Godwin
Sunday 31 August 2014 14:00 BST
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Aviva Premiership
Aviva Premiership

Here's what 12 Aviva Premiership captains answered when asked what they would like to see in the top flight next year...

Dan Braid (Sale Sharks)

Referees are talking about keeping props’ heads apart at the scrum engagement. I just want them to reward the dominant pack. It’s a big part of the English game.

Stuart Hooper (Bath)

The year before a World Cup is always the most competitive. I hope all the English talent step up and seize international selection – including Bath’s new signing Sam Burgess.

George Skivington (London Irish)

I’d like to see consistency from London Irish. We lurched between too many highs and lows last season but have got a bigger squad now.

Tom May (London Welsh)

We’re working to build a proper infrastructure for London Welsh. The aim is to “do an Exeter” and establish ourselves in the Premiership.

Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)

I’d love to see a lock forward step up to take a winning penalty, like John Eales. It would be entertaining in the heat of battle!

Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)

Every club should play under a roof with a good, firm pitch. I like the challenge of playing on rainy winter nights but could do without it.

Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs)

You can’t rule out human error with referees but keep the messages consistent. Don’t tell us one thing about the scrums in pre-season and then change it three months in. As ever, our supporters will play a huge role.

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

We need a change in the law on “choke” tackles: the team going forward when the maul is formed should keep possession.

Ally Hargreaves (Saracens)

Get rid of the salary cap. Look at French clubs and what they’re spending on their squads. We’d like to compete in a world market.

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

Bring in a mid-winter break. The players would recharge their batteries and it would be a chance to get a great Christmas dinner.

James Haskell (Wasps)

More crowd noise, but cut down the complaints. Rugby spectators tend to be quiet until it comes to the post-match critique. Players know when they’ve made a mistake.

Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons)

Exciting matches and higher try counts will keep fans happy and send rugby towards the World Cup next year in good shape.

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