The Future of the PRO14 - A British League in 2 years time

RugbyFan100 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:If we want to keep up with other professional sports then this is the only way we can go. At the moment, British and Irish rugby is not sustainable at this level, never mind trying to keep up with other sports, and getting to the next level.

They know deep down it is going to happen. They just don't want to risk the good thing they've got going in the Pro14 - which enables them to have success in Europe by resting so many stars in the league. If there was a British and Irish League, they wouldn't be able to do that as much.

Munster CEO:

Despite giving his backing to what he believes is an improving Pro12, he would welcome the inception of a British and Irish league.

“It is something that will be discussed in the future but the current Aviva Premiership clubs have a good deal. It will take a little bit to tempt them into that but given the Irish population that lives in England, it is certainly attractive having Irish teams going in.

“They have to look at what bringing the teams in would bring to the market itself.

“If you want to compete long-term with what’s going on in France TV-wise, that’s probably the ultimate goal.”

Keith Wood:

"For me, there always has been a - I can't say it's a perfect route but a good route is I still believe in having a league system based with Britain and Ireland. The idea of trying to amalgamate and come to some agreement where you could have England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales playing almost as in a Lions League and then you fit in a Lions tour at the end of the every four years that can be factored in properly. I mean, there's an awful lot of work that would have to be done to make that happen but that doesn't mean that would be the wrong thing to happen.

There would be a different divvy up of the spend. But that seems like the most comfortable fit for this to fit into the Northern Hemisphere calendar. We know that if it does fit into the Northern Hemisphere, it can fit into the Southern Hemisphere."  

RugbyFan100 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:If we want to keep up with other professional sports then this is the only way we can go. At the moment, British and Irish rugby is not sustainable at this level, never mind trying to keep up with other sports, and getting to the next level.

They know deep down it is going to happen. They just don't want to risk the good thing they've got going in the Pro14 - which enables them to have success in Europe by resting so many stars in the league. If there was a British and Irish League, they wouldn't be able to do that as much.

Munster CEO:

Despite giving his backing to what he believes is an improving Pro12, he would welcome the inception of a British and Irish league.

“It is something that will be discussed in the future but the current Aviva Premiership clubs have a good deal. It will take a little bit to tempt them into that but given the Irish population that lives in England, it is certainly attractive having Irish teams going in.

“They have to look at what bringing the teams in would bring to the market itself.

“If you want to compete long-term with what’s going on in France TV-wise, that’s probably the ultimate goal.”

Keith Wood:

"For me, there always has been a - I can't say it's a perfect route but a good route is I still believe in having a league system based with Britain and Ireland. The idea of trying to amalgamate and come to some agreement where you could have England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales playing almost as in a Lions League and then you fit in a Lions tour at the end of the every four years that can be factored in properly. I mean, there's an awful lot of work that would have to be done to make that happen but that doesn't mean that would be the wrong thing to happen.

There would be a different divvy up of the spend. But that seems like the most comfortable fit for this to fit into the Northern Hemisphere calendar. We know that if it does fit into the Northern Hemisphere, it can fit into the Southern Hemisphere."  

Irish Londoner wrote:

Of the 18 iterations of the Celtic League, PRO league Irish clubs have won 11 and been runners up 11 times. How many would they have won without resting players ?

.

LordDowlais wrote:Why is it killing off Irish rugby ?

Why would you even suggest such as thing ?

The Irish will not be victims in all this, never. Lets not forget, without the IRFU helping out, some of the provinces run at a loss, and Connacht would be buggered.

This new league would change all that.

LordDowlais wrote:

SecretFly wrote:You just don't choose to listen so good, Lord.  That's all.  You've heard all the reasons over the years, but they just go in one ear and out the other.

Hi SF, you really do not need to patronise me, I listen just fine.

All the reasons you posted above are your reasons. I honestly do not see this as turkeys voting for Christmas, honestly, you will have to explain to me, how this is turkeys voting for Christmas.

You cannot stop progress, either you are on the bus, or you are not. This is the future, pro rugby is not sustainable in it's current guise, far to many enterprises are not making money on their own esteem.

None of the reason you posted above really hold any clout. It seems to me, that you are worried about upsetting the good thing you have at the minute. But nothing lasts for ever.