Possible London Irish take over by Powerday owner

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.therugbyblog.com/london-irish-takeover-to-see-yarde-and-oconnor-stay-at-club

 

[Getofmeland]

This has been confirmed this morning by a press conference, they have also signed World Cup-winning Springbok prop CJ Van der Linde until the end of the season!

 

[profitius]

I wonder what the long term plans for LI are in terms of being loyal to the PRL or having an eye on the rabo. Its not as far fetched as it seems! At the moment LI are firmly behind the PRL but the new owners are already trying to sign up more Irish players to make themselves more Irish to appease the fans.

 

[Getofmeland]

It is a possibility, I honestly think over the next 5 years we will see a European League system emerge... ie France, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, split over 3 leagues...

It will be interesting to see if they stay in Reading, or look to move as well

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Van der Linde is a great signing for them!

Their backs already look much better with JOC in the mix, if CJVdL can have the same impact on their pack then they're going to be a very solid side.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I've always thought that the Lon Irish backs were class. I fact they quite often have the best on paper back line. No idea what happens to the forwards though but if they get that sorted they could get back to where they were years ago playing in the semi final.

Oh and learn to hold on to some of their younger players

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Interesting mix up with the Irish going to happen. I suspect money is going to be thrown at them which could mean some big signings.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Be interesting to see where they move to from the Mad Stad, if at all (I suspect they will).

West-of-london is very congested and Wasps might get a little ****** off if they encroach into the city.

 

[Nielsch]

Be interesting to see where they move to from the Mad Stad, if at all (I suspect they will).

West-of-london is very congested and Wasps might get a little ****** off if they encroach into the city.

Article on scrum.com was talking about Griffin Park in Brentford.

What's it to Wasps if they move into the city by the way?

 

[Patchey]

Article on scrum.com was talking about Griffin Park in Brentford.

What's it to Wasps if they move into the city by the way?

West London has traditionally been the home of Wasps and Quins while Irish, despising moving out of Reading, are still based in Sunbury, Surrey. Considering how full of clubs west London already is I think Wasps and Quins (to a lesser extent) would be a bit annoyed if Irish came further in to 'their territory'.

 

[ratsapprentice]

West London is firmly Wasps' home ground despite them moving out to Wycombe - and they are more than likely looking to move back into the city at some point... North-West London isn't big enough to support two premiership teams!

 

[Tony Manx]

North-West London isn't big enough to support two premiership teams!

HaHa.....What is that Population ................I presume more than the 70000 souls who lived (as of 2007 so probably up about 10% now) in the combined towns of Bayonne and Biarritz (two Top 14 teams)?!!

I firmly believe, due to finance and support, there should only be one Basque team but I would have thought we are talking in the millions in the North London area so really cannot agree with you there!

 

[Patchey]

Its not the entire North London area Rats is talking about, but more west London with a bit of North West London thrown in. Add the people who live there to those who live in town to the west of London and you're right, there are probably more peopler that in Bayonne/Biarritz. However you have three Rugby Union club (four, if you could that some deluded souls will go North to see Sarries play) competing for fans. Then rugby itself is competing heavily with football, with a lot of the major English football clubs being based in London, including Chelsea and Fulham in West London and Arsenal and Tottenham in North London.

You can see why Irish moving further in to London might be an issue for Wasps and Quins.

 

[Peat]

It already is I think. I sometimes idly dream of how big a professional Blackheath might be.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Biarritz and Bayonne don't have to compete with Fulham, QPR, Chelsea and Brentford football clubs do they?

The size actually works against them, it's not like in a small town where a Rugby club is a reasonably big deal.
It's London... where getting noticed requires a lot of resources.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Biarritz and Bayonne don't have to compete with Fulham, QPR, Chelsea and Brentford football clubs do they?

The size actually works against them, it's not like in a small town where a Rugby club is a reasonably big deal.
It's London... where getting noticed requires a lot of resources.

In fairness...

 

[Patchey]

Biarritz and Bayonne don't have to compete with Fulham, QPR, Chelsea and Brentford football clubs do they?

The size actually works against them, it's not like in a small town where a Rugby club is a reasonably big deal.
It's London... where getting noticed requires a lot of resources.

Exactly. There is a reason Bath, Gloucester, Northampton and Leicester rugby clubs are all big clubs with a large fan base and (mostly) have enjoyed various periods of success. There aren't any half decent football clubs in those towns.

 

[04perryo]

Biarritz and Bayonne don't have to compete with Fulham, QPR, Chelsea and Brentford football clubs do they?

The size actually works against them, it's not like in a small town where a Rugby club is a reasonably big deal.
It's London... where getting noticed requires a lot of resources.

Well if that was the case worcester should be a good side as well

 

[ratsapprentice]

That's your 666th post...


So it shall be!

 

[SelimNiai]

Exactly. There is a reason Bath, Gloucester, Northampton and Leicester rugby clubs are all big clubs with a large fan base and (mostly) have enjoyed various periods of success. There aren't any half decent football clubs in those towns.

Ahem..arent you forgetting someone in that list