Who is the Statesman who might solve the European rugby debacle?

In yesterday's Times, Paul Ackford asked the following question:

Where have all the statesmen gone?
In 1999, Bill Beaumont famously got England restored to the Six Nations, after a row over broadcasting rights, having had a pie and a pint with Allan Hosie, the tournament chairman, in the Drum and Monkey, a Glasgow pub.

Yet there seems little chance of anything like that happening to solve the present dispute over the future of regional and club European rugby. Several big names have been blown out, including Bruce Craig, the multimillionaire, bilingual Bath owner, who was leading the Anglo-French negotiations, and Ian Ritchie, the RFU’s chief executive, another behind-the-scenes operator, who failed to get an invite to an important meeting convened to discuss the way forward. Is there nobody out there of the required stature, intelligence and respect to bang heads and move on?

Nominations please.

Richard Cockerill and Warren Gatland are co-chairing talks as we speak. Biscuits provided by the RFU.

Notch wrote:Richard Cockerill and Warren Gatland are co-chairing talks as we speak. Biscuits provided by the RFU.

As you have nominated 2 ex hookers, I want in as well the same criteria applies.

Just like all these sorts of disputes, I'd bet about 90% of any future agreement is known to all sides. It's just getting them to actually agree on the 10% without anyone losing face is the difficult part.

Have the irb been involved at all or even said anything?

What ever happened to that independent arbitrator guy the unions called in. Did that ever happen?

Tony Blair is out, as I'm not completely satisfied with the job he did as middle east peace envoy.

Does Desmond Tutu like European rugby?

Stateswoman. Mary Robinson. She could host a tea party somewhere. (There's far too much testosterone driven thinking going on). Decafinated tea preferably, with queen cakes, overlooking a beautiful lawn somewhere.

The Incredible Hulk could chair the meeting. Then if anyone gets out of order or fails to reach an agreement....

....HULK SMAAAASSSSHHHH!!

Intotouch wrote:Stateswoman. Mary Robinson. She could host a tea party somewhere. (There's far too much testosterone driven thinking going on). Decafinated tea preferably, with queen cakes, overlooking a beautiful lawn somewhere.

Why stop with Mary Robinson? Why not get the whole caboodle of "The Elders"* on the case. I do think that this would test their ability at peaceful resolution of this situation.




* The Elders is an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights. Founded by Nelson Mandel, current chair is Kofi Annan.
http://theelders.org/

Roger the Dodger will sort it all out, keep the faith!  

KiaRose wrote:

Intotouch wrote:Stateswoman. Mary Robinson. She could host a tea party somewhere. (There's far too much testosterone driven thinking going on). Decafinated tea preferably, with queen cakes, overlooking a beautiful lawn somewhere.

Why stop with Mary Robinson?  Why not get the whole caboodle of "The Elders"* on the case.  I do think that this would test their ability at peaceful resolution of this situation.




* The Elders is an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights. Founded by Nelson Mandel, current chair is Kofi Annan.
http://theelders.org/

Sounds good. I'd still only go with the women there though.

Mo Mowlam would have been the ideal one - anyone who can get Adams and Paisley to agree on anything.....

Rob Andrew.