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We Need To Talk About London Irish

Premiership isn't ring fenced anymore, and they've already got an established pathway for new sides (look at London Welsh),
They're also revamping the championship, allowing sides to parachute straight in at that level if they have the appropriate structures (and cash) which I imagine is their plan
 
In terms of URC ownership, I know the SA union is still paying their way into the league and only become full equity owners at the end of the season (which would finally get more money in and hopefully stop our teams flying economy and via Dubai to Europe every time). Not sure how it would work for London Irish if it would be England based.
 
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English rugby prob needs a two tier competition now and for that is does need 2 of Irish, Worcester and Wasps to come back.
Personally 2 leagues of 10 teams is the sweet spot.

Cambridge, Caldy, Ampthill, London Scottish, Hartbury IMO don't fit a professional set up, not yet at least.
Scottish and Caldy have potentially the better room for growth than Cambridge,, Ampthill and Hartbury.
 
LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
English rugby prob needs a two tier competition now and for that is does need 2 of Irish, Worcester and Wasps to come back.
Personally 2 leagues of 10 teams is the sweet spot.

Cambridge, Caldy, Ampthill, London Scottish, Hartbury IMO don't fit a professional set up, not yet at least.
Scottish and Caldy have potentially the better room for growth than Cambridge,, Ampthill and Hartbury.
Click to expand...
I absolutely hate 18 league games in a season. The rest gets filled with meaningless friendlies, second team cup games, putting out an underpowered side for a weekend on the **** in Europe.

Need a top league of 12 sides playing home and away for 22 games.
 
Crash Hamster said:
I absolutely hate 18 league games in a season. The rest gets filled with meaningless friendlies, second team cup games, putting out an underpowered side for a weekend on the **** in Europe.

Need a top league of 12 sides playing home and away for 22 games.
Click to expand...


Orrrrr........... You schedule the league better?
End of the day the whole of world rugby needs to sort a global calendar it's kind crazy that there isn't.

I'm not saying 12 team leagues is bad, but the England rugby would then have to accept semi pro clubs in what should be a fully pro league or just get club run by idiots who collapse in a middle of a season and **** it up for everyone whilst blaming everyone else.
 
Crash Hamster said:
I absolutely hate 18 league games in a season. The rest gets filled with meaningless friendlies, second team cup games, putting out an underpowered side for a weekend on the **** in Europe.

Need a top league of 12 sides playing home and away for 22 games.
Click to expand...
Think 18 games would work if they did get this proper A league off the ground (or revamped the Prem Cup to be something people actually want to watch)

LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
I def feel by using Unions that means they are in talks with the IRFU and RFU.
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Think it's worded to imply they're looking at jumping ship but realistically probably means they're talking to regional unions to see which would be best placed (i.e. Staffordshire Union etc.)
 
TRF_Olyy said:
Think 18 games would work if they did get this proper A league off the ground (or revamped the Prem Cup to be something people actually want to watch)


Think it's worded to imply they're looking at jumping ship but realistically probably means they're talking to regional unions to see which would be best placed (i.e. Staffordshire Union etc.)
Click to expand...


Hmm maybe, I def feel the IRFU are getting involved even if it might be a case of an early investment into an covert Exiles program

Dream world for the league would be 2 leagues of 12, 2 team relegation (12 and 1st automatically swap and 11th and 2nd have playoff games) with a north and south A league.
I just don't think English rugby can support that without more clubs going bust. Maybe if we had some welsh teams involved it would make more sense idk.
 
LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
Orrrrr........... You schedule the league better?
End of the day the whole of world rugby needs to sort a global calendar it's kind crazy that there isn't.

I'm not saying 12 team leagues is bad, but the England rugby would then have to accept semi pro clubs in what should be a fully pro league or just get club run by idiots who collapse in a middle of a season and **** it up for everyone whilst blaming everyone else.
Click to expand...

Certainly the scheduling could be better, but if the Prem Cup is going to be played between Prem clubs only, make it a straight knockout and play more league games. That makes the league more meaningful and introduces more jeopardy to the Cup.

A cup with a large preliminary league stage is exactly the same as a league with an extensive playoff programme. Introduce a point of difference.

As to semi-pro teams, I suspect everyone with an ounce of sense realises RU is a minority sport which can't support administrators with £1/2M+ salaries (especially when said administators allow asset-strippers to buy and wreck clubs...)
 
Crash Hamster said:
Certainly the scheduling could be better, but if the Prem Cup is going to be played between Prem clubs only, make it a straight knockout and play more league games. That makes the league more meaningful and introduces more jeopardy to the Cup.

A cup with a large preliminary league stage is exactly the same as a league with an extensive playoff programme. Introduce a point of difference.

As to semi-pro teams, I suspect everyone with an ounce of sense realises RU is a minority sport which can't support administrators with £1/2M+ salaries (especially when said administators allow asset-strippers to buy and wreck clubs...)
Click to expand...
Excuse me! Coventry have beaten both Sarries and Tigers in the last couple seasons
 
LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
Hmm maybe, I def feel the IRFU are getting involved even if it might be a case of an early investment into an covert Exiles program

Dream world for the league would be 2 leagues of 12, 2 team relegation (12 and 1st automatically swap and 11th and 2nd have playoff games) with a north and south A league.
I just don't think English rugby can support that without more clubs going bust. Maybe if we had some welsh teams involved it would make more sense idk.
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I was with you until you mentioned W**** clubs being allowed to play.

We currently have a 12 team Championship (including handily-placed Coventry @McTallshort :) ) and three clubs wanting to be considered again for second-tier rugby. I find it hard to believe that 2x12 team leagues could not be supported by any competent administration
 

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