Pro 14 - General Thread

[Oldschool]

Two teams from South Africa and now 12 becomes 14.

[simonokeeffe]

the old thread was getting a bit cluttered alright

[TerenureJim]

the old thread was getting a bit cluttered alright

I'm sure the mods could have split it into conferences

[simonokeeffe]

the old thread was getting a bit cluttered alright

I'm sure the mods could have split it into conferences

[ronk]

Conferences will ensure an unbalanced schedule.

Either we lose the derbies cash cow or we have have a tougher fixture list.

[Grumpy Old Man]

the old thread was getting a bit cluttered alright

I'm sure the mods could have split it into conferences

[ronk]

So to review what we know so far, maybe:

2 conferences of 7 teams. Play H&A so 12 games. Split each country.

Play every team in other conference, 7 games and a 3-4 split of H&A.

19 games. + 2 to keep the local derbies. 21.

That's clear for Irish and Welsh teams, but different for others.

Italian's could for example play each other an extra time (3 matches) or play an extra game against SA or Scots. Big difference in terms of fixture strength.

We're used to 22 games so adding an extra fixture by playing an extra match against one of the teams in the other would balance H&A and fix the Aviva/ RDS problem we have and the season ticket fixtures problem everyone else would have.

In this sense the conference system would mean that you play 9 teams home and away and 4 teams once. You could probably have a flat table for overall rather which would make the whole thing very simple for casual fans. They'd need to pay attention closely to even notice than there are conferences.

There'd be a few distortions:
Deciding the extra game,
Playing more derbies,
Possibility that one conference ends up stronger,
Stronger away opponents in a given year (but only for 2 games).

To address it the league can decide to go random, rotate, seed, anti-seed (NFL style) or haggle.

[simonokeeffe]

wouldve thought the other unions would be delighted with the extra derbies but yes bit unfair if scots get extra games v Italians to save Saffers from travelling more

[kermischocolate]

wouldve thought the other unions would be delighted with the extra derbies but yes bit unfair if scots get extra games v Italians to save Saffers from travelling more

The unions might. Fans, not so much. Play the same games too often and it is a complete turn off- no matter who the opposition is.

John Muldoon has said on twitter all teams will play eachother home or away so further sign of the conference debacle.

[simonokeeffe]

wouldve thought the other unions would be delighted with the extra derbies but yes bit unfair if scots get extra games v Italians to save Saffers from travelling more

The unions might. Fans, not so much. Play the same games too often and it is a complete turn off- no matter who the opposition is.

John Muldoon has said on twitter all teams will play eachother home or away so further sign of the conference debacle.

4 games would be a drag for Scots Ita SA
3 at least is a series and is pretend trophy friendly but same problem of unfair fixture advantage

[ronk]

Irish would be hardest hit by fixture advantage. Given the importance of the big derbies we might be okay with it on the basis that we can carry a stronger squad and possibly overcompensate for the added difficulty.

Glasgow would be the big winner because they'd get to play Edinburgh and easier fixtures won't do much for the Italians anyway.

[kermischocolate]

Irish would be hardest hit by fixture advantage. Given the importance of the big derbies we might be okay with it on the basis that we can carry a stronger squad and possibly overcompensate for the added difficulty.

Glasgow would be the big winner because they'd get to play Edinburgh and easier fixtures won't do much for the Italians anyway.

You've not seen recent Glasgow Edinburgh results then?

[TerenureJim]

Here's the thing though you don't want an easy conference as all you're doing then is walking that then getting toned in Europe, you want more games against better opposition, I think you start this year with a 14 team league and then next year or the year after you bring in US, Spanish, German, Italian expansion in Rome, Belgian and possibly Portguese teams maybe one or two RFU run invitational sides (thereby beginning the undermining of club owners) and make it into a 2 division Northern Hemisphere league of 12 teams each.....

[olaf the fat]

Why dont they just play more games? copy the top 14.

[jimbobjoe]

https://twitter.com/pauleddison/status/ ... 0897683457

Pro13 anyone?

[johng]

I think they are to be replaced by a long rumoured Rome based team. Most of the same players and coaches.

[Dave Cahill]

For f%~ks sakes lads, learn how to use Google Translate.

This is simply the transfer of the old Zebre company to the new FIR owned zebre company that was reported months ago.

[johng]

1599/5000
We had written that Monday or Tuesday there would be a decisive meeting in Parma for the future of the Zebra and so it was. The FIR announced that, taking note of the will of the old company Zebre Rugby srl not to participate in Pro12 2017/18 and deliberately setting up the new Zebre Rugby Club company with First Director Andrea Dalledonne, the parties will meet today at the Citadel. Once the assignment is formalized, signatures can be placed on all contracts and presented the many new faces of pink and technical staff. However, after the first meeting, the doggies will return within a few days to be operational even outside the camp.

Here is the press release.



The Rugby Italian Federation has taken note of the communication received from the Company "Zebre Rugby Srl", in which the writer expressed his renunciation to participate in the Guinness PRO12 2017/18.

Deliberate the establishment of the "Zebre Rugby Club Company" to ensure the participation of two Italian teams in the competition in order to comply with the agreements in place with the Celtic Rugby Board, and determined to appoint a new director of the new company to Mr. Andrea Dalledonne and Mr. Diego Rivetti as the only Mayor, FIR leaders will meet on Monday 24 July in Parma - together with the new directors - members of the staff and players of the franchise to start the operating processes of "Zebre Rugby Club" and define as soon as possible Contracts with technical cadres, athletes and staff of the new Society.

[The Doc]

1599/5000
We had written that Monday or Tuesday there would be a decisive meeting in Parma for the future of the Zebra and so it was. The FIR announced that, taking note of the will of the old company Zebre Rugby srl not to participate in Pro12 2017/18 and deliberately setting up the new Zebre Rugby Club company with First Director Andrea Dalledonne, the parties will meet today at the Citadel. Once the assignment is formalized, signatures can be placed on all contracts and presented the many new faces of pink and technical staff. However, after the first meeting, the doggies will return within a few days to be operational even outside the camp.

Here is the press release.



The Rugby Italian Federation has taken note of the communication received from the Company "Zebre Rugby Srl", in which the writer expressed his renunciation to participate in the Guinness PRO12 2017/18.

Deliberate the establishment of the "Zebre Rugby Club Company" to ensure the participation of two Italian teams in the competition in order to comply with the agreements in place with the Celtic Rugby Board, and determined to appoint a new director of the new company to Mr. Andrea Dalledonne and Mr. Diego Rivetti as the only Mayor, FIR leaders will meet on Monday 24 July in Parma - together with the new directors - members of the staff and players of the franchise to start the operating processes of "Zebre Rugby Club" and define as soon as possible Contracts with technical cadres, athletes and staff of the new Society.

John - could you check your settings in Google Translate - you need to change the "Translate To" bit to "English" - you'll find it in the dropdown list

[Flash Gordon]

For f%~ks sakes lads, learn how to use Google Translate.

This is simply the transfer of the old Zebre company to the new FIR owned zebre company that was reported months ago.

Bizarrely the Irish Times reported today that they were winding up with Zebre responding on twitter that they weren't. Pro 12 management are all over the place at the moment!