Every sports league has its heroes and villains – the teams the neutrals love and the ones that everybody loves to hate.
The English Premiership is no different, and with many of the clubs having over 150 years of history behind them, there’s plenty to dig into. For newer fans however, you just want to know who to root for without spending an hour reading WIkipedia first, and that’s where we come in. We’ve paired up every Aviva Premiership team with its equivalent NFL franchise to help you pick your side when you’re watching the games play this Fall.
Come and hear Bath Rugby legend Andy Nicol speak in our pre-match Q&A in the Swift Half this Saturday, 14:30.
A photo posted by Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) on
Jan 20, 2016 at 2:02am PST
Bath – Green Bay Packers
The Packers are one of the oldest teams still active in the NFL, and Bath are equally historic, having been in existence since 1865, and one of only four teams to have never been relegated in the 30-year history of the Premiership. Like the Pack, Bath are a club that feel like something of a throwback to an era past, with their tiny Recreation Ground a far cry from soulless modern stadiums. Similarly to Green Bay, Bath are also a club that has tasted success only sporadically – the rest of the time spent frustrating fans and neutrals alike that their exciting style of play doesn’t yield too many trophies.
WE ARE GOING UP! #bristolrugby
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May 26, 2016 at 2:17am PDT
Bristol – Buffalo Bills
Returning to the Premiership for the first time in seven years, Bristol have given the 90s Buffalo Bills a run for their money in painstaking final-hurdle failure since they were relegated from the top flight in 2009. Buffalo might have lost out in four Superbowls, but Bristol finished first in the overall standings five times in the the ensuing seven seasons, only to lose in the playoffs on four occasions, including three times in the final. Unlike Jim Kelly and his team however, there is a happy ending for the Bristol faithful – after losing the playoff final in both 2014 and 2015, Bris’ finally got over the line against Doncaster in 2016, securing their place back in the big time at long last.
Calling all Exeter Chiefs supporters? Who's coming to Twickenham next Saturday for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final?! www.premiershiprugby.com/final
A photo posted by Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) on
May 21, 2016 at 2:08pm PDT
Exeter Chiefs – Seattle Seahawks
For many years the Seahawks kicked around the NFL not really doing much beyond the odd division title or playoff appearance, before the Pete Carroll era transformed them into one of the most feared teams in the league and took them to back to back Super Bowls. Exeter were perennial nearly men of the second tier, until they managed to achieve promotion to the Premiership 2010… and the Devon club hasn’t looked back since. Exeter have been a revelation since they arrived in the top tier, upsetting the established order through the efforts of a crop of unheralded young players and some savvy coaching, making it to the Premiership final in 2016. The Chiefs’ notoriously rowdy fans would give the 13th man a run for their money, too…
Front row club. Once in a career achievement so far shows how tough Sale are to beat at home. Absolutely over the moon. #glawsfamily @hibbz2
A photo posted by Nick Wood (@n1ckwood) on
Apr 29, 2016 at 3:03pm PDT
Gloucester – Oakland Raiders
Like the Raiders, Glaws are as famous for their rowdy home fans as their on-field product – though you’d probably much rather sit in the Shed than the Black Hole. Frustratingly for their fans, they also share the Raiders’ truly terrible track record for big money signings. John Afoa, Jimmy Cowan, Carlos Spencer, Chris Paterson… the Cherry & Whites record with marquee players has been dreadful, though like the Silver & Black, they look to have turned a corner with that in the last few years.
#AvivaPrem #PicOfTheWeek… Jamie Roberts of @harlequinsrugby scores the opening try during the European Rugby Challenge Cup Semi Final match between Harlequins and Grenoble at Twickenham Stoop. Pic taken by Steve Bardens of @gettysport
A photo posted by Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) on
Apr 26, 2016 at 5:14am PDT
Harlequins – New Orleans Saints
The Harlequins club has been around for 150 years now, so like the Saints, there’s a great deal of heritage behind perhaps London’s most famous club. Like the Saints, the club has known many ups and down in the last few decades – from relegation and the Bloodgate scandal, to the highs of winning the Challenge Cup a record three times and the Premiership in 2012. In Nick Evans, they also have perhaps the closest thing rugby has to Drew Brees – an ice-cool, humble playmaker who rarely makes mistakes and frequently wins games with his composure and drive.
#PicoftheWeek is Freddie Burns of Leicester Tigers celebrating a try in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter final. Picture credit: Stu Forster – Getty Images
A photo posted by Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) on
Apr 12, 2016 at 4:44am PDT
Leicester Tigers – Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Steelers, Tigers are the most decorated team in league history, having won more Premiership titles than anyone else – and while they don’t have Terrible Towels, the fans at Welford Road are raucous and passionate, backing up the team’s uncompromisingly physical style of play every step of the way. Unfortunately, like the Steelers, the Tigers fans haven’t had much silverware to celebrate in the last few season – but the club are always a threat at making the playoffs.
Images from the #AvivaPrem… Newcastle Falcons' Marcus Watson
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Apr 18, 2016 at 4:42am PDT
Newcastle Falcons – Detroit Lions
An historically downtrodden team from an unfashionable northern area where the weather is awful? Newcastle and Detroit have a lot in common. While the Lions’ historical futility (culminating with the infamous 0-16 season) is truly impressive, Newcastle haven’t been quite that bad – even if most of the last decade has been spent in a painful, gritty relegation dogfight for the men from Tyneside. While trophies have been scarce, both teams’ fans have at least had the pleasure of watching one of the all-time greats run out in front of them – for Barry Sanders in Detroit, see England legend and World Cup-winner Johnny Wilkinson, who played 182 times for the Falcons between 1997 and 2009.
Check back next week to see which NFL teams we’ve paired up with some of the biggest names in the Premiership, including Saracens, Northampton, and Wasps.