Sugary tae wrote: ↑September 30th, 2020, 4:59 pm
Hi lads
Munster supporter here. Just interesting in reading the thoughts re the expansion of the league.
My own thoughts are this suits the irfu down to the ground. I think while a B&I league sounds good in theory In the longer term they would entirely cannibalise us. Why would any Irish player stay at home when they could play for bigger money and the same league. I think the lessons of recent Heineken cup negotiations have been learnt well. The prl would destroy us in a few years swooping up all the layer of players under the top 20 internationals.
The biggest test here will be after a few years will the provinces be putting out their best 15 for big games v the bulls and stormers etc or European games. Potentially this could be more lucrative.
Guinness is Diageo isn’t it? Plenty of other brands there to advertise to a nation who like their tipple.
Ultimately I think this will give more games at a higher level for all the Irish teams. The pro14 had the fastest ruck time for the last few years in Europe with only super rugby faster. I think our players being exposed to high class opponents will bring them on.
SARU won’t be easy bedfellows but the Scots and welsh haven’t been fun either. The stronger the league is the less likely they are to be tempted to the premiership etc.
Interesting post !!
Would be interested in people's views on 'in an ideal world' what type of league would be the best ????
For me it's pretty simple a league with the best Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English teams knocking seven shades of sh1t out of each other in a two division format with Promo and Relegation etc - I adore the rivalry in these islands - just look at the 5/6 nations for the never ending brilliance......of everyone trying to kick seven shades of sh1t out of England.......
Not knocking the news of improving the league by bringing these SA teams in but I just don't see it being a long term solution due to the travel.
There seems to be this absolute 'given rule' that the English would try and take over, steal our players and feck it all up. Maybe so but where is this coming from ? Bar the usual well them and the French don't value the Pro 14 etc etc etc.........
Also why would Irish players be 'destroyed' by the English teams - Irish players stay in Ireland and play for Irish provinces as they want to play for the national side and are well looked after - every single major Irish player could be making more in France right now but stay for these reasons.
Any English rugby fans I talk to are well aware that the Premiership is limited and could do with a new format, they too have had a predictable league in recent years with teams just making up the numbers and they look across the water in envy at what Leinster have done........(despite the English gutter media rubbish trying to make excuses by saying that Leinster can rest players etc etc and the PRO 14 is cr@p etc etc)
We do seem to have this view that 'The English' would just be out to get us and feck us over...........perhaps it's time to be a touch more confident....and a little less 1916. Any B&I league is only going to work if it was negotiated to suit all, if the English want it there own way it's never going to happen anyway.
Look it's all idle speculation as it ain't happening but I'm just looking at this from the angle of what would be the ideal !!