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Relegation?

FrenchFan said:
No problem I'm all for a new european competition. The French clubs are not interested in the Challenge Cup and the Champions Cup has taken a back seat as well. They've been fielding 2nd string sides esp. in Challenge, so any revamp is welcome. The clubs will consider a new European competition but not at the expense of their own league. Not a chance.

'European Super League' sounds really cool but who is going to drive this?
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How would your idea of a European Super League differ from the Champions Cup then?

In handball, they're also planning a European Super League, with ambitions to make it a global competition, eurobasket is partly trying a new system (most clubs are automatically qualified, some have to qualify), so it seems that that's where sports in Europe are heading. You may hate it, but that seems to be the way to go to make the most money and would bring it closer to Super Rugby or the North American leagues.

I just came across this article about how it could work out in soccer, it also mentions other European sports competitions:
http://futbolgrad.com/the-spectre-of-the-european-super-league/
 
Car said:
How would your idea of a European Super League differ from the Champions Cup then?

In handball, they're also planning a European Super League, with ambitions to make it a global competition, eurobasket is partly trying a new system (most clubs are automatically qualified, some have to qualify), so it seems that that's where sports in Europe are heading. You may hate it, but that seems to be the way to go to make the most money and would bring it closer to Super Rugby or the North American leagues.

I just came across this article about how it could work out in soccer, it also mentions other European sports competitions:
http://futbolgrad.com/the-spectre-of-the-european-super-league/
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It's not my idea. Alpha Bro will tell us. Bet the devil is in the detail :)
 
FrenchFan said:
It's not my idea. Alpha Bro will tell us. Bet the devil is in the detail :)
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That's for smarter men than myself to figure out! I just see a big opportunity to make a lot of money in rugby, which is desperately needed by all the unions including the RFU and FFR. I could see three 8 team conferences working, one French, one English and then one with 3 Irish and Welsh sides and one Scottish and Italian. Not something European sports are too keen on but something that could certainly better the income and level of European rugby both at club and international level.
 
All also think that if WR are serious about offering teams like Georgia and Romania a chance to develop further, then they could not go wrong fully funding a regular short tour to the SH. I would love to see Georgia come to NZ and play a few ITM Cup teams, or SR teams during the June window.
 
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smartcooky said:
All also think that if WR are serious about offering teams like Georgia and Romania a chance to develop further, then they could not go wrong fully funding a regular short tour to the SH. I would love to see Georgia come to NZ and play a few ITM Cup teams, or SR teams during the June window.
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Aren't the IRB doing precisely that this (NH) summer - but playing each of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa?
 
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What about a European nations cup every four years? Two groups of four and then straight to the semis. Small but full of opportunity for the lesser nations.
 
The Alpha Bro said:
Bouledjal and friends would likely go for it, private investors would see the commercial success that the soccer one would bring and attempt to introduce it on a smaller scale in rugby. The top 14 sides would definitely leave or have the top 14 as their secondary competition if they were to make more money from a season long super league.
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Mourad again :eek: so the future of European rugby would be placed in the hands of the most hated man in European rugby - LOL :lol:
 
Georgia has won 9 ENC in a dominating fashion since 2000

Those who say Georgia doesn't belong to the Tier 1 Europe...Which group does Georgia belong to?

If Georgia doesn't get to play with nations like Italy or Scotland we're going to lose a rugby nation for world rugby as we did back in the 80s with Romania

Romania went on to win many a match against top teams as France or Scotland. Word Rugby looked to the other side, pretending they didn't see it. And Romania was lost for the cause.

Can we afford that? Not in a long term basis. It would be repeating the same mistake and losing a rugby country and it's not like we have plenty of them.

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Bee said:
It's growing really fast over here.
7.000 watched Germany - Spain today, which is a really great attendance for a sport whose top flight league is non pro over here.
I'm not too sure about relegation would be a good idea for the Six Nations, but at least there need to be more competitive matches for the smaller countries to improve and to help Rugby grow,
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Heidelberg right?

I went to pay a visit a friend of mine who was working at the Max Planck and what I saw was like a rugby haven

Does it happen in Germany that big guys only have handball in mind as it happens in Spain?
 
TRP saying today that Wales and Scotland (??) driving changes to the six nations. Interesting that it is two of the 'smaller' less financially stable unions looking for changes.
 
If said changes involve relegation (subject of this thread) don't expect FFR to push in favour it. Blanco (FFr vice-president) will not risk it as this is election year for the union.
Also, the union knows what everyone can see: if relegation was to be introduced (and personally I'm all for it) France and Italy are prime candidates for relegation in 6N next time given their level of form in recent years. THere might be a silver lining for a rejuvenated Italy under Conor OShea as their new coach.
No such luck for les Bleus who are sinking further into their own quagmire and no Plan B on the horizon. So FFR won't be lobbying hard in favour of such change....
 
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I'd be happy to see a 2-legged playoff between the spooners and the tier 2 winners for the main reason that people would finally recognise how far Italy are ahead of any second tier team. Italy beat the Springboks after all - that's what they bring to the tournament, risk. If you play badly and/or select badly they will beat you. Georgia are not close to a result like that and getting smashed by B teams for six weeks a year is not going to help them. They need more June and November internationals.
 
Goodey said:
people would finally recognise how far Italy are ahead of any second tier team.
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How far are they?

At the RWC, Italy only beat Romania by 10 points and finished the match on their knees. Romania could't take their chances but dominated the game, with all stats in their favour (more posession, more territory, more time in opposition 22, etc).

Italy was given every advantage by World Rugby, with Romania only having a short 4-day rest period after the Canada match. Also, Romania's captain and best player was suspended for very dubious reasons and couldn't play.

With an equal rest period, Romania could have won the match and Italy would have lost direct qualification for the next RWC.
 
Italy came within two points of beating France last year and no one thinks they are better. Close games can exist, actual results would be convincing.
 
Italy lost to Tonga a week after beating SA who failed to win a game on their tour. I don't think they're far ahead whatsoever considering the rate at which Georgia are building.
 

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