RFU and IRFU : Dumb and Dumber?

RFU : The management board is in disarray. Let us not forget that the 2015 RWC is to be hosted by them. If things don't get sorted and settled by the end of the 2011-12 season, I would be surprised if alarm bells don't start ringing at the IRB and will commence tentative enquiries with the French Federation to come in to take over the competition.

IRFU : The decision to redevelop Lansdowne Road in situ resulting in an undersized stadium. And then when it was built, there was the outrageous ticketing policy. And then there was the decision to repeat (potentially) the bizarre 2007 EOS appointment prior to a disastrous WC. Now it's DK who will be under greatest scrutiny after an abysmal summer.

On how many occasions has Lansdowne been full since it re-opened? High ticket prices on early occasions notwithstanding.

It wasn't full yesterday. Against England. In a supposed do or die match.

Methinks 50 odd thousand was the right call.

Kidney has been reappointed for a period of two years with an in-built review period. O'Sullivan got four years. And still got kicked out.

What has the WRU done with Gatland?

It was sold out for the England game but I don't know of many people who wanted a ticket who didn't get it. And it was about 5000 below capacity for the visit of France; this with much cheaper ticket prices than in the 6N.

I don't think we'd sell more than 60000 tickets apart from the odd one-off games against France, England, South Africa and New Zealand.

Portnoy wrote: If things don't get sorted and settled by the end of the 2011-12 season, I would be surprised if alarm bells don't start ringing at the IRB and will commence tentative enquiries with the French Federation to come in to take over the competition.

Why not just give it to the Celtic nations

DK got a year extension,it is not as bad as EOS at least.

wales606 wrote:

Portnoy wrote: If things don't get sorted and settled by the end of the 2011-12 season, I would be surprised if alarm bells don't start ringing at the IRB and will commence tentative enquiries with the French Federation to come in to take over the competition.

Why not just give it to the Celtic nations

I thought of that. But with an expected poor financial return this year, the IRB needs big venues and guaranteed returns in 2015:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Rugby_World_Cup#Hosting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Rugby_World_Cup#Venues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup#Venues

See http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2022301.html - 2007 - a record RWC

If they used the Millenium, Croke, Landsdowne and Murrayfield they would have 4 big venues for the semis/1/4s. Smaller games could go to the regional stadium.

Or the UK could host at together so the English stadium could be used, but the running of the whole thing would come under the 4 unions rather than just the RFU.

The GAA wouldn't let you use Croker unless you give them a few million euro.

wales606 wrote:If they used the Millenium, Croke, Landsdowne and Murrayfield they would have 4 big venues for the semis/1/4s. Smaller games could go to the regional stadium.

Or the UK could host at together so the English stadium could be used, but the running of the whole thing would come under the 4 unions rather than just the RFU.

It's not going to happen.

wales606 wrote:If they used the Millenium, Croke, Landsdowne and Murrayfield they would have 4 big venues for the semis/1/4s. Smaller games could go to the regional stadium.

Or the UK could host at together so the English stadium could be used, but the running of the whole thing would come under the 4 unions rather than just the RFU.

That's exactly what happened in 91, 99 and even to an extent in 07.

The proximity of the home nations capitals is a blessing.

Thomond wrote:DK got a year extension,it is not as bad as EOS at least.

According to RTE DK got a two-year extension : http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0722/ireland_kidneyd.html

Port,from what I understand he was going to be here for the 6N after the WC anyway. I would be more excited by the fact we're getting rid of Gaffney.

Who's decision was it ?

All the article says is "The only member of the current coaching staff that will not be continuing to work with the team after the World Cup is Alan Gaffney.

Gaffney has decided to return to his native Australia to continue coaching."

Anyway If DK/Ireland fail badly at the RWC and go on to compete poorly in the subsequent 6Ns, it will still look like dumb decision.

Portnoy,I don't know if we will have a great 6N,I think that may be the time we start giving the younger guys serious game time.The likes of Murray,McFadden,Jones, et al should be seeing more game time.

Very true. I'm sure that the possibility for a real recovery is there.

But if the core of players has to be replaced, then no amount of militant optimism that I'm hearing from the under-thirty Irish supporters will come with any guarantees.

Everyone can see that a new wave has to come through. Even the IRFU must be able to see that. And to re-engage DK at this juncture is looking risky.

Yeah there are gonna be a lot of new guys thrown into the mix I'd say and some older guys not selected in the training squad

Future looks good but more long term than short....

In a typically stable state of mentality, the RFU are going to be having a meeting this afternoon to quietly discuss the future. Great idea just before the RWC when all the influential IRB members will be gathered together sipping their G&Ts in NZ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbjnf1p5eI

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=dylan+blood+on+the+tracks+album+cover&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1348&bih=560&tbm=isch&tbnid=iW3Ku3N2QixzjM:&imgrefurl=http://www.miomusik.com/bob_dylan/blood_on_the_tracks_CD.php&docid=NHNmXNlNEESaJM&w=600&h=600&ei=VadgTrbsNsmZ8QOxgrnpDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=805&vpy=129&dur=5148&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=108&ty=129&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=143&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0

You wouldn't want the RFU to organise the Edinburgh tram system would you? RWC 2032...