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Is there anything they could do to stop owners taking money back out if they did do that?paddyor wrote:Because they'll just inflate their "takings" with sponsorship from the owners.
He's talking out of both sides of his mouth there wrt Nigel Wray.
domhnallj wrote:Leicester Tigers have failed to make the play-offs for the first time in 14 years. Many reasons being discussed on the BBC, but as a Leinster fan I can't help but think they are missing a MoC'Whopper of an explanation...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43989089
There is a replacement for the B&I coming as well but details are not fully agreed yet, no doubt this will make the Welsh get serious nowblockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
No need for hindsight, it was patently obvious to everyone bar the Stockholm syndrome'd Welsh.Oldschool wrote:In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
The goalposts were moved dramatically when the two SA teams joined the Pro12.
Realising that the game was up, the PRL raised the drawback and left the Welsh to their own devices.
This plays nicely into the WRU's hands regarding finally adopting the Irish model.
Ultimately Wales are going to become more competitive as a result and their club teams will become more competitive in Europe too.
The curious thing about all this is - Who initiated the Pro14?
Was it the Pro12 or the South Africans?
With the money in the Top 14 and the expansion of the Pro14 to include more South African Super rugby sides and North American franchises the English premiership looks like it's falling well off the game. Particularly as pretty much every club is losing money and has no sustainable business model.blockhead wrote:No need for hindsight, it was patently obvious to everyone bar the Stockholm syndrome'd Welsh.Oldschool wrote:In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
The goalposts were moved dramatically when the two SA teams joined the Pro12.
Realising that the game was up, the PRL raised the drawback and left the Welsh to their own devices.
This plays nicely into the WRU's hands regarding finally adopting the Irish model.
Ultimately Wales are going to become more competitive as a result and their club teams will become more competitive in Europe too.
The curious thing about all this is - Who initiated the Pro14?
Was it the Pro12 or the South Africans?
A few years ago the Welsh Regions seemed to be enthusiastic about leaving the Pro 12 and joining the Aviva Premiership. Have they changed their mindset on that issue?Oldschool wrote:In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
The goalposts were moved dramatically when the two SA teams joined the Pro12.
Realising that the game was up, the PRL raised the drawback and left the Welsh to their own devices.
This plays nicely into the WRU's hands regarding finally adopting the Irish model.
Ultimately Wales are going to become more competitive as a result and their club teams will become more competitive in Europe too.
The curious thing about all this is - Who initiated the Pro14?
Was it the Pro12 or the South Africans?
No it is just the English don't want themAngelsea Angst wrote:A few years ago the Welsh Regions seemed to be enthusiastic about leaving the Pro 12 and joining the Aviva Premiership. Have they changed their mindset on that issue?Oldschool wrote:In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
The goalposts were moved dramatically when the two SA teams joined the Pro12.
Realising that the game was up, the PRL raised the drawback and left the Welsh to their own devices.
This plays nicely into the WRU's hands regarding finally adopting the Irish model.
Ultimately Wales are going to become more competitive as a result and their club teams will become more competitive in Europe too.
The curious thing about all this is - Who initiated the Pro14?
Was it the Pro12 or the South Africans?
Useful idiots comes to mind. That might be a little harsh but it's how the English viewed the Welsh. The Welsh and especially Scots got a nice deal from BT from breaking away in the European power struggle a few years back so there were some benefits in the relationship.Oldschool wrote:In hindsight the PRL were merely trying to undermine the Pro12/14 using the Welsh as their stalking horse.blockhead wrote:The Anglo-Welsh Cup will be replaced next season by a 12-team competition involving solely Premiership sides.
So much for "Hands across the Severn"!
The goalposts were moved dramatically when the two SA teams joined the Pro12.
Realising that the game was up, the PRL raised the drawback and left the Welsh to their own devices.
This plays nicely into the WRU's hands regarding finally adopting the Irish model.
Ultimately Wales are going to become more competitive as a result and their club teams will become more competitive in Europe too.
The curious thing about all this is - Who initiated the Pro14?
Was it the Pro12 or the South Africans?
But it’s Stephen Jones so it doesn’t countLeinsterLeader wrote:Saracens, the best team in Europe at the moment........apparently
http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/smcmah ... beat-well/
Is it just to be a wum or does he believe this? Is it old age that he forgot the result from the cup quarter final where we beat them fairly comprehensively? I believe it was called the European cup, pretty definitive in terms of who's best in Europe reallyronk wrote:But it’s Stephen Jones so it doesn’t countLeinsterLeader wrote:Saracens, the best team in Europe at the moment........apparently
http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/smcmah ... beat-well/
No, but they want everyone else to think that, that's why they keep saying it.PRL boss Mark McCafferty sounds 'under pressure', says WRU chairman Gareth Davies
By Gareth Griffiths BBC Wales Sport
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies says Mark McCafferty sounds like a "man under pressure".
Premiership Rugby boss McCafferty criticised Wales playing South Africa in Washington DC last week outside World Rugby's international window.
McCafferty also ruled out shortening the club season to allow the British and Irish Lions extra preparation time.
"I have been baffled by some of the comments he has come out with in the last week," said Davies.
"He sounds like a man under pressure."
The Lions' tour to South Africa tour in 2021 is set to feature a reduced programme of eight games over five weeks.
But McCafferty says reducing the English club season in 2020/21 would be "suicidal" for Premiership Rugby, instead suggesting the Six Nations could be condensed.
It is unclear yet how it will fit into the calendar and McCafferty says Lions' management have shown "disdain" by not contacting Premiership rugby.
Lions board member Davies says an agreement first has to be reached with Sanzaar, the body which operates Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship.
"With the Lions there is a process first of all to be agreed with Sanzaar. At the last board meeting, we agreed we would move forward in terms of agreeing that contract," Davies said.
"So I am a little puzzled why he came out on that attack on that front.
"These things do have to be discussed. The one point I would agree with Mark is to solve this everyone needs to get around the table.
"It seems to me, though, Mark puts Premiership Rugby beyond everything else. A few people will take exception to that."
Lions 'the big brand'
Davies insisted the Lions remained a special concept that should not be devalued.
"The presence and importance of a successful Lions tour can help transform the game," said Davies.
"It attracts so many young viewers and is the big brand in rugby. You only have to see that with what has happened in recent tours, especially in New Zealand last year.
"So it should not be a case of either or. People have to be sensible and pragmatic and not think their competition is the only thing that matters."
The New Zealand tour was dogged by issues over the messy schedule, with the tourists playing 10 games in six weeks, including an opening fixture a matter of days after arrival in Auckland.
Following the drawn series against the All Blacks, head coach Warren Gatland and tour manager John Spencer pleaded for a longer preparation period.
Davies believes the Pro14 appears willing to help the Lions: "The Pro14 have indicated they could shorten the season by a week and you look at the results this season, the league has not done badly in terms of quality.
"I am not sure why the Premiership is different and be treated better than anything else."
Springboks Test 'not for cash'
Davies also defended Wales' one-off Test against South Africa in Washington, pointing to the fact England played the Barbarians the week before out of the Test window.
"It seemed an odd comment to come out with," said Davies.
"Everyone says the South Africa match was played for cash but that is where some of the pundits got it wrong.
"It is not about cash. It was about looking at the American market, blooding youngsters in an environment that will be similar to next year's World Cup.
"If you asked Tomos Williams, Tom Prydie or even George North how important the last game was, they will tell you.
"They enjoyed that totally different experience. We have to think a little bit outside of Offa's Dyke."
'Nobody else matters'
No English-based Welsh players were released for the fixture with Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris and Josh Adams missing out.
McCafferty said it placed an "unnecessary burden" on the clubs and players involved but Davies disagreed.
"Warren said he could not understand the stance PRL took over South Africa and I support him," said Davies.
"We could understand the autumn internationals in terms of taking away players in mid-competition.
Warren Gatland says Wales will celebrate their win over South Africa on Hadleigh Parkes' stag do
"But Josh, Tomas and Luke were metaphorically on the beach last week, doing nothing in terms of [club] rugby.
"What sort of rationale is behind that? I just don't get it.
"They will then also return to their clubs a week earlier than the English players after the tour.
"It seems to be that they think their competition is all important and nobody else matters in this world."
And the clubs have pissed away all the gains they made from the EPRC on wage inflation with no discernable improvement and increasing losses. I'm coming round to the view that we might have overestimated the strength of the PRL. They get circa 9m viewers for a season of the AP, this weekends test matches should at least equal that.Dave Cahill wrote:He is right though, McCafferty is under pressue. RIM are on the verge of going tits-up and the EPRC has basically done a windows restore to 2012
