Some of his points are good, notably about this becoming a two-speed HEC, but this is the first paragraph:
This is the second paragraph:Halfway house in this year's Heineken Cup pool stages and the stats speak for themselves. The Welsh regions? Played nine lost eight, the exception being the Ospreys' home win over Treviso. Scotland's two representatives? Played six lost six, three tries scored and 14 conceded. Italy's deadly duo? Played six lost six, points leaked 218. For almost all concerned it is game over with rounds four, five and six still to go.
Paul Rees mentions the looming meeting: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/de ... -cup-talks...No, the problem is the timing of it all. Talks about the tournament's future are due to resume on Wednesday. Those demanding change need only push a list of this season's results across the table, sit back and politely seek further comment.
What, exactly, is their argument then? When has the performance of respective sides been the issue with this? I thought their biggest beef was Irish sides who can rest players in the PRO12 then unleash them fresh on Europe while the battered and bruised English sides from a superior league are constantly fighting the threat of relegation? Since when has Ospreys' 1/3 record been an issue since they, themselves, qualified by right? And Glasgow's 0/3?These include the slimming down the Heineken Cup and making qualification meritocratic, beefing up the Amlin Challenge Cup, having an equal financial share-out and making the tournament commercially stronger by changing television broadcasters and ensuring a terrestrial element to coverage.
There is a definite element of shifting the goalposts here to suit their agenda. This year, the Rabo sides are not performing well. But last year it was cr@p English teams like L. Irish and Bath.
It seems if a Rabo team wins, it is because of player welfare, so we need to change the system.
It seems if a Rabo team loses, it is because of their sh!t domestic tournament that is undervaluing the HEC.
As an aside, I hate when people refer to the Irish teams as "regions."