Transfers rumours

[ratsapprentice]

Bit leftfield isn't it? Clearout at Quins?

Not particularly, they're 30 and 31 respectively... and they're both on the way out of the England side.

Apparently Brown is unhappy at Quins, although that might be speculative (aka ********)

 

[Jrex]

Not particularly, they're 30 and 31 respectively... and they're both on the way out of the England side.

Apparently Brown is unhappy at Quins, although that might be speculative (aka ********)

Guess I'd just presumed they'd be single club-men, and don't see Brown's move making much sense for Leicester

Wonder when they'll start edging Care out of the EPS

 

[munstermuffin]

Is Madigan's goal kicking legit?
I always presumed it was pretty average but I think that's because I automatically place flyhalves into dull-but-good-kickers and livewires-but-poor-kickers
Gopperth vs Cipriani, if you will

I'd agree with Alpha he is a good goal kicker. But he will only flourish at 10 in a team like a Connacht who play a ball in hand game

 

[ratsapprentice]

Guess I'd just presumed they'd be single club-men, and don't see Brown's move making much sense for Leicester

Danny Care who spent three years with Leeds?

 

[Jrex]

Danny Care who spent three years with Leeds?

Nah I'm thinking of the other Care, the Southern Dandy that fits better with my sense of surprise and has never set foot outside the Stoop

 

[Lé Ddanno]

There's also a writing on the wall element. Quins' success will take some time to return and neither of them are getting any younger; offers from elsewhere start to look mighty enticing around the big three-0

 

[ratsapprentice]

Anyone think that Bristol's spending increases might be indicative of ringfencing?

Just putting it out there...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Anyone think that Bristol's spending increases might be indicative of ringfencing?

Just putting it out there...

Maybe was wondering if Irish, Bristol and maybe Yorkshire might get stay/brought up.

Tigers CEO said that Tigers would be interested in doing a partnership thing with a championship club they would rather want a full A league but this would be the next best things.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Would be an opportune time (assuming LI and YC stay top two).

 

[RedruthRFC]

Anyone think that Bristol's spending increases might be indicative of ringfencing?

Just putting it out there...

More likely indicative of Steve Lansdown's bank balance and attitude IMO. What makes you think that it could be indicative of ringfencing? I believe that we have as much chance of porcine aviation as we do of anything being forced through for the start of next season, so he must be spending money in the knowledge that there's a good chance that the team will have spending a season in The Championship with a side that cost a lot more than the competition. IMO Bristol have now seen first hand (apparently LW's two attempts weren't sufficient to inform) the consequences of winning promotion with a side that needs to be significantly augmented for AP rugby and have reasoned that come what may, they need to be a stronger side next season.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't really, I'm just speculating wildly.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I've seen some people mention that the promotion/relegation aspect of the prem/championship was initially only on an 8yr agreement and that has now run its course.
I imagine wed have heard something if it was being ring fenced this season though?

 

[Which Tyler]

An 8 year agreement that's 30 years old, and going strong.
I suspect that you might be thinking of the EPS agreement; which was renewed for this or last year; or possibly the agreement on the knock-out stage for the championship - which I believe is being looked at currently

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe it was the promotion structure, with the finals and stuff?
It was all on the Bristol fans forum I was skim reading through

 

[Which Tyler]

Yeah - that'd be the knock-out stages then, not promotion / relegation.
Of course, also possible that the poster you were reading was confused too.

 

[munstermuffin]

Was there not rumours of ring fencing league?

 

[Which Tyler]

Was there not rumours of ring fencing league?

Every year*; but that's nothing to do with existing agreements ending, so much as PRL wanting ringfencing to lower the risk to them.

*Well, every year that London Welsh aren't in the top flight - which is unlikely in the forseeable future.

 

[RedruthRFC]

An 8 year agreement that's 30 years old, and going strong.
I suspect that you might be thinking of the EPS agreement; which was renewed for this or last year; or possibly the agreement on the knock-out stage for the championship - which I believe is being looked at currently

A few proposals are kicking around, the only one that seems to have any sort of traction is the buddy system. It strikes me as a can of worms though as buddy sides aren't eligible for promotion, meaning that at least one AP side who wants one could be left without a "buddy". Also, I can't see teams being too keen to buddy with Richmond (and Bedford depending on who you listen to) who don't train full time.

I don't recall talk of the playoffs being binned off, but IIRC there is talk about adding playoffs between the Championship winners and AP 12th placed team and between the N1 winner and Championship 12th placed team for promotion. I think that most in The Championship have come around to the belief that the playoffs prevent there being so many dead rubbers and reduce the chances of the relegated AP club bouncing straight back, so are a good thing.

Rotherham's chairman has fired a shot out at the current structure of the league today. Supporters have been saying for years that the B&I Cup has to go to allow more regular, competitive league games, he is the first person in authority to say this publicly as far as I know.

 

[stus768]

This talks about 8 yr agreement and championship playoffs. It's from June tho.

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/feat...ive-championship-playoffs-set-to-be-scrapped/

 

[RedruthRFC]

This talks about 8 yr agreement and championship playoffs. It's from June tho.

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/feat...ive-championship-playoffs-set-to-be-scrapped/

Thanks for that. I have a rather jaundiced view of TRP and tend to think the worst of them, so you might want to take my view with a pinch of salt, but I've long suspected that this subject is one that they dredge up with a vague mention of one of the "sources" whenever they're short of column inches. Quite telling that they say that their exclusive is due to be announced eight months ago!