'Quins boss predicts "European Superleague"

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Evans' speculation of what a European Superleague may look like is one I'm not fond of since it would become monotonous after a couple of years and would probably kill off pro club rugby in places like Italy and Scotland. I agree with Prestwick in that the regionalisation of English clubs is a bad idea and is one which would almost certainly be proposed under a small 10-15 team league.

Having said that, a Euro league run under a different format (like a trumped up Heineken Cup, run similarly to one of the major US pro sports leagues like the NFL) is an idea I can see happening in the future (once TV contracts can be sorted out), for the same reason Mark Evans lists as the major reason for it's prospective creation - financial gain for all involved. I outlined an alternative idea on how I think a Euro Superleague could be formulated in this thread by tomsi_wyn earlier this year:
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39043

Less club games per season (which a pan European competition could provide) would lead to less player burnout and less chance of injury- a recent IRUPA study showed how 40% of players retire from the sport due to injury with many still suffering after their rugby careers have ended. That's a trend which must be addressed and absolutely can't continue.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

As alarming was the discovery that four in 10 players had their careers cut short by injury, and that 72 per cent of those remain in regular pain or discomfort due to the injuries sustained during their playing career, while nearly half of those concerned - 20 per cent - could no longer play rugby of any kind.[/b]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/...9035812843.html