Italy undermining the 6 Nations

[Cabo]

93 points in 2 matches against Italy.
I think it's time they were replaced by Georgia

 

[sigesige00]

Promotion/relegation are necessary.

 

[Groundhog]

A promotion relegation thing between the Six Nations B and the real deal, or at least a playoff between last and first is a wet dream for most European ruby fans, but the Italians will continue to be guarded despite the fact they've been stagnant for years now. Have the occasional upset but no tangible indication of improvement domestically or internationally. Can see no reason to keep shielding them.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

We may look back on today as the most significant day in changing European rugby structures in the future.

- Italy hammered by an Ireland who didn't even need to score points (as they already had the bonus point).
- The potentially bigger market of Germany defeat Romania and rise to 22nd in the world.
- The comparable market of Spain defeat Russia and rise to 21st in the world.

The 6N have no intention of replacing Italy with the smaller markets of Georgia or Romania, but Spain or Germany? You betcha.

 

[Gavin]

Anyone who replaces Italy will continue to be hammered.

When you've got a lack of funding in a country and the main players not continually playing in good club sides it will always be tough.

Replacing them with Romania / Georgia would make no difference as they'd still be the whipping boys.

Second division introduced to he Six Nations which runs at the same time would be ideal with promotion / relegation.

 

[barkinghooker]

Return it back to the 5 Nations.

Give the extra week for the 5 nations to play the Rugby Europe teams.

 

[Osezno]

Second division introduced to he Six Nations which runs at the same time would be ideal with promotion / relegation.

Second, third, fourth and even fifth divisions already exist. The only thing missing is promotion to Six Nations:
http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/38671-2017-Rugby-Europe-Championship

Return it back to the 5 Nations.

Give the extra week for the 5 nations to play the Rugby Europe teams.

If you give an extra week for test matches they will play Barbarians, PIs, or any other team generating more revenue than Georgia and Romania. That's what happens in test windows.

 

[Gavin]

Second, third, fourth and even fifth divisions already exist. The only thing missing is promotion to Six Nations

I know they exist but do not consider them divisions of the Six Nations because of the lack of promotion.

They are separate tournaments in their own right with no relation to the Six Nations, especially as I don't think they run at the same time.

 

[Osezno]

Rugby Europe Championship only starts a week later not to take players from their clubs for so long.

 

[munstermuffin]

Thing is money.

 

[stus768]

Anyone who replaces Italy will continue to be hammered.

When you've got a lack of funding in a country and the main players not continually playing in good club sides it will always be tough.

Replacing them with Romania / Georgia would make no difference as they'd still be the whipping boys.

Second division introduced to he Six Nations which runs at the same time would be ideal with promotion / relegation.

If Georgia replaced Italy the government would jump on the bandwagon and fund rugby more.

 

[barkinghooker]

The government/investors should make their domestic game competitive before it's even a discussion to join the 6 nations.
Either keep Italy in the championship or go back to 5 Nations.

I've always liked the idea of the Saxons and Wolfhounds being intergrated in to the Rugby Europe Championship. It would be a good fixture for them and make their league more marketable.

Not sure Prem or Pro 12 teams would be okay with it though.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I do not think Italy should be dropped out of the six nations.

Yes recent results has been results to forget for Italy but surely it can't get any worse for them right ?. I think they need a massive re-build. O'Shea may need another year to get the best out of his players. But the form of the pro 12 teams definitely doesn't help, either they aren't getting funded enough for buying better players or the coaching staff needs a real change about.

 

[Gavin]

If Georgia replaced Italy the government would jump on the bandwagon and fund rugby more.

You mean Georgia where they have all that money in the economy?

I'm no economist but the Georgian GDP is nearly 4,000 whereas Italy's is nearly 36,000

On those numbers I'd say Italy would be better placed to fund rugby than Georgia.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Georgia's also a 6 and a half hour flight from London to Tblisi - it's nearer Afghanistan than Ireland.

 

[stus768]

You mean Georgia where they have all that money in the economy?

I'm no economist but the Georgian GDP is nearly 4,000 whereas Italy's is nearly 36,000

On those numbers I'd say Italy would be better placed to fund rugby than Georgia.

Doesn't matter if they have a better GDP if they're not willing to fund it. Point is Georgian government more likely to plow money in

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I've said it before but I think this would be the best system:

Split the 6N into a 2 tier tournament. Tier 1 is the top 4 teams currently with home and away fixtures. Tier 2 is the bottom 2 6N teams and the top 2 from the next down, again home and away fixtures. It should be televised so you get a tier 1 and a tier 2 game on Saturday and the same on Sunday. 6 games in total per tier (so 1 more than currently) and 4 games per weekend (again 1 more). Hopefully this would remove whipping boys and make everything more competitive. A promotion/relegation match at the end between the wooden spooner of t1 vs the winner of t2.

 

[McTallshort]

I have to admit to believing Italy should be relegated at some point but let's give COS a chance. He is trying to turn everything in Italy around and he should get at least a few years backing. This year's 6N is as competitive as I have seen it in a long time. Scotland and France are playing very well for a change and to judge Italy on this year might be a bit unfair?

 

[Welshdragon2000]

Isn't Georgia backed by a billionaire? I heard their facilities are pretty much second to none so the only way is up basically. Why should money be an excuse here?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Now Germany have beaten Romania they will be promoted to the six nations......