Arrivederci Italy

[cyRil]

I haven't read everything on this thread, but what about 6 Nations teams having a warm-up game or two with tier 2/3 nations prior to the tournament at the end of January??

 

[alexrugby]

I haven't read everything on this thread, but what about 6 Nations teams having a warm-up game or two with tier 2/3 nations prior to the tournament at the end of January??

That could be nice to have matches against rugby elite, elite which stands above in clouds of heaven and we poor nations just eat from their table remnants

Don't know why but FIRA AER and IRB authorities come in Georgia and say: Georgia's gonna enter 6N ridiculous ....

Somehow these rugby authorities assure Georgians that the only way to get closer to higher teams is to enter either 6N or any other higher leagues

Keep these leagues for you We need more play against higher teams, not to get locked in one condition

 

[gingergenius]

OK, how about this, not sure of a solution myself, but an idea (and I know it would get in the way of the money men):

The bottom two of the 6Nations each year don't get to tour any of the 4 SH nations that summer. Instead, they play in a tournament (of no more than 3 matches) against the likes of Georgia and Russia.

1. The 6 nations doesn't become bigger/ easier etc.
2. The minnows are playing teams they've got a good chance of competing with
3. The SH sides, who are generally stronger, don't have to have shitty sides touring them where they can throw out a casual team and score 50 points.

 

[LittleGuy]

If a last minute drop goal had gone wide and a couple of finishes against Wales more properly executed Italy could be pushing for their fourth win this Saturday in the Six Nations this shows how much they have closed the gap. Yes they had a stinker against England but their other three games were competitve and they can beat Scotland this weekend.

@ 187, I think SANZAR has commited to helping Argentina out in the first few years of thier joining the "Four" Nations I can't wait to see them in. It will be a perfect time zone for me to watch games and at home I think they can challenge South Africa and Australia regularly. I know the Argentinan rugby federation has resisted professionalism but it would be nice to see a domestic league or a couple of Super Rugby franchises come out of Argentina, perhaps a team in Buenos Aires and/or Cordoba. A side effect should be increased exposure in neighbouring Uruguay where the game has the potential to grow as well.

 

[alexrugby]

OK, how about this, not sure of a solution myself, but an idea (and I know it would get in the way of the money men):

The bottom two of the 6Nations each year don't get to tour any of the 4 SH nations that summer. Instead, they play in a tournament (of no more than 3 matches) against the likes of Georgia and Russia.

1. The 6 nations doesn't become bigger/ easier etc.
2. The minnows are playing teams they've got a good chance of competing with
3. The SH sides, who are generally stronger, don't have to have shitty sides touring them where they can throw out a casual team and score 50 points.

Sounds cool buddy really, that' an Idea

minor teams have craving desire to play against higher ones, because we can then get more experience

Georgia has chance to come across big teams just when on RWC, hence four matches in 4 years periodicity

That's bad for rugby development, because closed systems fail to survive

 

[Seaton]

We do NOT want a 7 nations.

When will it end? In 50 years time we'd have a NH competition of 14 international teams and a SH competition of 10.

There's too much rugby as it is. We don't need more half arsed tournaments clogging up the calender.

Home Nations anyone?

 

[profitius]

The 6N should have relegation. That would spice things up a bit and also boost rugby in developing nations.

Italy need time to develop. France took decades to start winning regularly. Italy are in the magners league now and they'll become more competitive. The Scots will have to get things moving there or risk being the worst nation in the 6N's.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The 6N should have relegation. That would spice things up a bit and also boost rugby in developing nations.

Italy need time to develop. France took decades to start winning regularly. Italy are in the magners league now and they'll become more competitive. The Scots will have to get things moving there or risk being the worst nation in the 6N's.

Which wouldn't happen if they were relegated

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Italy need time to develop.

Despite beating France and coming within 90seconds of beating Ireland?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Despite beating France and coming within 90seconds of beating Ireland?

And almost doing the Welsh over.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Italys problem is that they don't travel well at all - in Rome they're capable of causing an upset over any Six Nations team