Munster vs Aironi, Saturday 4th Sept

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Snoop agree that there won't be anything major this season but I think in a few years that they will improve and be competitive in time

To become competitive they need players like the Bergamascos, Castrogiovanni, Parisse and Gower to come home. Realistically, those are the star names in Italian rugby. If the star names are playing it'll boost attendences, the profile of the team and results. A couple of high profile internationals from other countries are needed too.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree snoop and I can see these guys coming home eventually as now they have that level of competition week in week out that wasn't there before. And also Saturday night and well they expect a big name each after the world cup

 

[Prestwick]

I think Aironi will come good, Treviso have already seriously hit the ground running. A good mid table finish will attract more Italian big names to come home I bet.

One great thing was that Treviso's ground was packed for their first Magners game. If they can draw 5,500 a game for the season then they'll be rocking!

 

[munstermuffin]

Thing is Aironi had a far more difficult fixture away to Munster than Treviso at home to Scarletts.

 

[Prestwick]

True but Scarlets aren't exactly pushovers and were leading by a good margin at half time before Treviso pulled it out of the bag.

I think the future is bright for these two clubs.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Long term those clubs have a bright future. Looking at it purely financially, Italy has 2 pro clubs and a population of 70 million. That's potentially massive TV revenue to be split in half.

For this season, I'd be surprised if the Italian teams finish above 9th at best. They'll be fighting with Connacht, Scarlets and possibly the Dragons near the foot of the table.

 

[Prestwick]

Oh yeah, finishing above those four teams should be their only target this season. It'd be a waste of resources to push any harder. They've gotten this far and there isn't any relegation so baby steps first. If they can beat teams like Connacht and Dragons and push other teams like Glasgow or Leinster (i.e. not lose by any less than 10 points) then they will have acheived a lot in their first season.

Crowd retention and consolidation this is a big change to put rugby at the heart of Northern Italy much like how its been done in the West County and Midlands of England and in Ireland in the past 15 years.

 

[munstermuffin]

According to Nick Williams the weekend Aironi have a target of mid table and are pretending to avoid relegation of bottom 2.

 

[profitius]

Long term those clubs have a bright future. Looking at it purely financially, Italy has 2 pro clubs and a population of 70 million. That's potentially massive TV revenue to be split in half.

For this season, I'd be surprised if the Italian teams finish above 9th at best. They'll be fighting with Connacht, Scarlets and possibly the Dragons near the foot of the table.

All TV money goes to celtic rugby who divides it amoung the teams. How the Italian teams will benefit will be from sponsors and advertising etc. Maybe one of the big car manufactures will want to sponsor them etc. Northern Italy is the wealthy part of Italy so they're in the right spot.

 

[Prestwick]

According to Nick Williams the weekend Aironi have a target of mid table and are pretending to avoid relegation of bottom 2.

......someone has told them that theres no relegation in the Magners league, right?

 

[lynam1104]

There pretending there is though.

 

[Prestwick]

Thats what YOU think. Maybe Aironi are being so serious that everyone thinks they're pretending when actually they seriously think theres relegation.

If they end up in the bottom two at the end of the season, be prepared for a lot of sad chaps in Lombardia preparing for a return to the Super 10

 

[lynam1104]

Did you read munstermuffin's post i suggest you do.

 

[Prestwick]

Sorry, forgot to add this to my previous two posts:

 

[lynam1104]

I wasn't too sure weather you were being funny or not it didn't come through to me as sarcastic but thats got to do witch the LCD screen.

 

[munstermuffin]

Prestwick you obviously misread as I said they kno there is no relegation but a motivational goal that obviously they feel will help them starting out and I for one applaud that at least they don't wana come in and be whipping boys but try achieve a decent position and build gradually

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

All TV money goes to celtic rugby who divides it amoung the teams. How the Italian teams will benefit will be from sponsors and advertising etc. Maybe one of the big car manufactures will want to sponsor them etc. Northern Italy is the wealthy part of Italy so they're in the right spot.

I stand corrected. Even then the Italian market of 70 million dwarves that of Wales, Scotland and Ireland at less than 15 million. Once Italian rugby gets off it's feet, that's of huge benefit to all members of the Magners League.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Indeed. Speaking of the size of Italy, I for one would be very surprised if the Italians weren't pushing for a 3rd franchise in about 5 years. Their current teams are based in the traditional heartland of Italian rugby and, as we saw with the original accepted applicants for franchises, the FIR wants a team operating out of Rome in an attempt to tap the massive potential of the city. Whether there is room in the league for another team remains to be seen however.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree feic that once these 2 franchises are up then we will see a 3rd team as Italian rugby will be looking to grow and one possibility could be a format similar to super 15 possibly

 

[Prestwick]

Prestwick you obviously misread as I said they kno there is no relegation but a motivational goal that obviously they feel will help them starting out and I for one applaud that at least they don't wana come in and be whipping boys but try achieve a decent position and build gradually

It was a JOKE!