We Need To Talk About London Irish

[TRF_Olyy]

I know it's been discussed a ton but an England based URC is just never going to happen, as the RFU has dominion over all rugby in the country

Then again if he's just bought the club then maybe he'll relocate - London (Arkansas) Irish? (London)Derry Irish?

 

[Which Tyler]

I know it's been discussed a ton but an England based URC is just never going to happen, as the RFU has dominion over all rugby in the country

Then again if he's just bought the club then maybe he'll relocate - London (Arkansas) Irish? (London)Derry Irish?

Though, now that they're involved, it's possible DCMS apply some pressure there.
But yes, this will be the first severe test of this.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Interesting to see how this plays out and EJ is a savvy operator. The RFU will, rightly, fight any and all attempts to have them in the URC and they've a very good relationship with the IRFU so I can't see it happening.

From a fan perspective, an Irish aligned, London based URC team would be unbelievable.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

A London based URC would be insane for the league
Which is why it won't happen

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What's the scope, if any, for Jordan to just leave the RFU system and become a stand alone club outside their jurisdiction?

Would be a bit of a LIV golf situation I'd imagine, anyone associated can't play for England at any level sort of thing.

Can't see the IRFU aligning either but interesting idea nonetheless.

 

[Which Tyler]

What's the scope, if any, for Jordan to just leave the RFU system and become a stand alone club outside their jurisdiction?

From what I understand, they'd need to play on a piece of soil that isn't located in England.
Otherwise the match won't be recognised by RFU or World Rugby, insurance, or referee associations.

I absolutely reserve the right to be wrong, but there's a reason why it's failed every time it's been brought up over the last 30 years. (and LI, LW and LS have all had a go, but equally, all have backed down pretty quickly, so it's never been properly tested)

 

[McTallshort]

How long does EJ have left to live?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

From what I understand, they'd need to play on a piece of soil that isn't located in England.
Otherwise the match won't be recognised by RFU or World Rugby, insurance, or referee associations.

I absolutely reserve the right to be wrong, but there's a reason why it's failed every time it's been brought up over the last 30 years. (and LI, LW and LS have all had a go, but equally, all have backed down pretty quickly, so it's never been properly tested)

That'll do it. Good luck getting an exemption when England need pro clubs!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I absolutely reserve the right to be wrong, but there's a reason why it's failed every time it's been brought up over the last 30 years. (and LI, LW and LS have all had a go, but equally, all have backed down pretty quickly, so it's never been properly tested)

Seem to vaguely remember the last time the SRU tried to buy London Scottish the RFU said no and World Rugby backed the RFU - just so easy to keep unions sides in the unions areas with no exceptions rather than muddy everything forever by allowing things like this to happen

 

[Amiga500]

How long does EJ have left to live?

Yeah, this is what I was coming in to note too.

Just did a google, and despite having it spread to at least 3 other places, it looks like Chemo might be working!

 

[Amiga500]

From what I understand, they'd need to play on a piece of soil that isn't located in England.

Solved it.

He buys one of those two carriers (obviously very straightforward 'cos the royal navy cannot afford aircraft for both so its really just for decoration anyway) - and revamps the flight deck to hold a pitch and stands.

Then parks it in the Thames.

Could have fancy underdeck ballroom etc in the hangars underneath, hotel rooms in the crew spaces and everything.

... and in the middle of winter, when the weather is crap, it can be relocated to the Med.
F88k you and your roof Cardiff - we're off cruising to f88king Palma to play our games in dry weather.

Clearly a flawless plan and what he obviously must be working on.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah, this is what I was coming in to note too.

Just did a google, and despite having it spread to at least 3 other places, it looks like Chemo might be working!

Oh ****, I didn't realise he had cancer. I retract my earlier comment.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I'm assuming the Jordan group has a lot more cash than the SRU, WRU, or IRFU have ever had. That might be the key to making it work.

Also reports say he is open to the premiership as well. I wonder if there is some type of legal strategy about the URC being an option if premiership says no.

 

[Scotty]

So I have always wondered this? Why would the RFU not want to buy London irish/welsh/scotish and going the URC, have an extra 3 English based teams giving England a strong prem plus a foothold in the URC, or stand in the way of private parties doing this? More rugby in England is good right?

Why is this not realistic?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So I have always wondered this? Why would the RFU not want to buy London irish/welsh/scotish and going the URC, have an extra 3 English based teams giving England a strong prem plus a foothold in the URC, or stand in the way of private parties doing this? More rugby in England is good right?

Why is this not realistic?

The URC unions would want a slice of the pie so large that it's probably not worth it to them I would imagine.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

From what I understand, they'd need to play on a piece of soil that isn't located in England.
Otherwise the match won't be recognised by RFU or World Rugby, insurance, or referee associations.

I absolutely reserve the right to be wrong, but there's a reason why it's failed every time it's been brought up over the last 30 years. (and LI, LW and LS have all had a go, but equally, all have backed down pretty quickly, so it's never been properly tested)

i think the answer is fairly obvious...i give you the independent nation (disputed) of...Sealand!...Sealand Irish has a nice ring too it

 

[Which Tyler]

So I have always wondered this? Why would the RFU not want to buy London irish/welsh/scotish and going the URC, have an extra 3 English based teams giving England a strong prem plus a foothold in the URC, or stand in the way of private parties doing this? More rugby in England is good right?

Why is this not realistic?

Buying one or all of them up (or gifting them money to stay afloat in the first place) would be explicitly against the earlier versions of the professional game agreements, and I presume this would still be the case.
Doing so, and getting them into the URC would cost a lot of money, whilst detracting from the attractiveness of the Prem (and European Cup), so again, would almost certainly kill any relationship the RFU has with PRL.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

The URC unions would want a slice of the pie so large that it's probably not worth it to them I would imagine.

does the URC not already have a central revenue distribution scheme? I'd imagine that the premiership (and therefore the RFU's contractual obligations) are a bigger hurdle than the URC. The URC would probably see their pie grow while the premiership would see domestic competition for eyeballs.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

does the URC not already have a central revenue distribution scheme? I'd imagine that the premiership (and therefore the RFU's contractual obligations) are a bigger hurdle than the URC. The URC would probably see their pie grow while the premiership would see domestic competition for eyeballs.

Ah no idea to be honest. I just can't see the current unions giving away any ownership to the RFU. Especially if thwy're using other national identities to build their own game or at least that'a how I'd be looking at it from an Irish POV.

I'd want some IRFU ownership and access to players if London Irish were in the URC. Which wouldn't fill me woth hope of shared with a competing union.

 

[Amiga500]

Also reports say he is open to the premiership as well. I wonder if there is some type of legal strategy about the URC being an option if premiership says no.

Huh, actually never considered that.

I wonder what the legals are around the Premiership being ring fenced and then the RFU being able to stop a team that are nominally within their jurisdiction joining an external league to play professionally as they cannot by definition join the equivalent professional league within the jurisdiction.

It could get messy you'd imagine and not quite cut-and-dried as might first appear.