Scots' Magners League spots threatened by Italians' bid

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8550696.stm

Scottish teams Edinburgh and Glasgow could be kicked out of the Magners League by their Welsh and Irish counterparts, Scrum V understands.The Celtic nations have fallen out over proposals for two Italian teams to enter the competition from next season.

The Scottish Rugby Union was due to meet on Thursday to discuss its stance on the Italian teams' entry.

A no-vote would prompt a swift response from Irish and Welsh chiefs, signalling the Scots' exit.

Scrum V has been told that all four Welsh regions and all four Irish provinces want the Italians, but the Scots have been privately accused of dragging their heels.

If the Scots announce their agreement to admit the Italians the league will be expanded to 12 teams from next season. But if the SRU blocks the move, Scrum V understands the Welsh and Irish unions are considering the possibility of removing Glasgow and Edinburgh from the competition.

Ex-Wales hooker Garin Jenkins hopes the SRU agree to the Italian's entry to the Magners League, believing the Celtic nations have a duty to help the sport expand.

Jenkins told Scrum V Radio: Garin: "We, as rugby union people, want to grow the game so I think it's a must.

"And I think Scotland's fears at the moment - if they could only see the bigger picture, that if it is open to a bigger audience, then the revenue's going to come into the game and undoubtedly help Scottish rugby eventually."

The SRU has yet to comment.[/b]

It's not going to come to this. A few years ago the Scottish and Irish Unions kicked the Welsh teams out of the Magners League because the WRU signed up to the Anglo-Welsh Cup. After a couple of weeks of posturing, the Welsh were allowed back in. The same will happen in this instance. If Edinburgh and Glasgow are removed from the competition, they'll find they've nowhere else to go and the SRU will come back with their tail between their legs.

It's safe to assume that the Magners League will expand next season.

 

[Olyy]

I don't understand why the SRU wouldn't want Italian teams in there anyway?
As the article says, it's only going to make rugby better in the long run

 

[dullonien]

Why would the Scottish teams be against this?

I'm glad the Welsh and Irish unions are taking a heard stance on this, because it's important that this kind of expansion happens for rugby as a whole. This move should hopefully see Italy become an even bigger force in world rugby in the future.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I'm going to be the thirs person in a row to ask why don't the Scots want the Italians?

They'll probally be welcomed back in, or even chucked into the Premiership. Stranger things have happened, but it'll probally be the former.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Mar 4 2010, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Why would the Scottish teams be against this?[/b]

Self interest comes into play. If Italy regularly beat Scotland despite a terrible domestic league, how will Scotland compete when Italian clubs raise their game in a league of a far higher standard? It's not a good reason but it's a possible explanation.

 

[Will]

I wonder if this has been blown out of proportion a wee bit. The fact is that whilst the SRU (as with a lot of the orignal member unions) are still pretty much an old boys network, if the Scots were kicked out of the Magners League then it would pretty much be the death of club rugby in Scotland on any professional level. The SRU can't let that happen, and even if it is the case that they may ***** and whine about it, if it's what the majority want it will have to happen....

 

[danit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Will @ Mar 5 2010, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I wonder if this has been blown out of proportion a wee bit. The fact is that whilst the SRU (as with a lot of the orignal member unions) are still pretty much an old boys network, if the Scots were kicked out of the Magners League then it would pretty much be the death of club rugby in Scotland on any professional level. The SRU can't let that happen, and even if it is the case that they may ***** and whine about it, if it's what the majority want it will have to happen....[/b]

shouldn't be a "one or the other" option, just get in the Italians and keep the Scots

what most of the people don't understand here (me included) is why "SRU blocks the move"

 

[Bluemoon]

Perhaps there are other issues which we are not considering. For example - will this effect how everyone qualifies for the HC? Or is it down to money - do the scots not want to travel to Italy twice a year?

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bluemoon @ Mar 5 2010, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Perhaps there are other issues which we are not considering. For example - will this effect how everyone qualifies for the HC? Or is it down to money - do the scots not want to travel to Italy twice a year?[/b]

Sure the money will be given and 2 Italian teams will keep the H'Cup spots instead of them being distributed in their domestic league.

I think it is as Snoop said Scotland are afraid if Italy are playing at this level the national team will improve and be beating the Scots regularly.

 

[Jockstap]

Damn it SRU if you ruin Connacht's chances of not coming last in the Magners League nest season I'm boycotting Scotland forever.

 

[GazzaJAnimal]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jockstrap @ Mar 6 2010, 03:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Damn it SRU if you ruin Connacht's chances of not coming last in the Magners League nest season I'm boycotting Scotland forever.[/b]

:lol: