Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:01 am  

Domestically you're right. I actually think Scotland RU made a mistake by entering the Celtic League. They had a strong, loyally (if not numerically) supported club competition but they decided to ditch it and go down the regions path. The result has been a decline in crowds at traditional club level and a failed regional side that absolutely nobody wanted in the first place. I watched Edinburgh v Glasgow over Christmas on BBC Alba and words like surreal, ridiculous and joke spring to mind when a few thousand die-hards are overwhelmingly outnumbered by empty dark-blue seats.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:56 am  

One from the archives... www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2003/oct/21/ru ... pe=article

One from the archives... www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2003/oct/21/ru ... pe=article

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:20 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

I find it hard to believe that playing for Scotland at any level would enhance his chances of a massive pay-day unless he were to lead them out of the doldrums and to 6 Nations/RWC glory......London irish are a good club with a decent financial base (compared to others) and he has a better chance of honours (currently) with Wales....IMO that is.

Where's he more likely to get a start though, Scotland or Wales?

IMO the Welsh already have the successor to Stephen Jones lined up in Rhys Priestland, whereas the Scots have a void at 10 that he could easily step straight into.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:34 pm  

Catalancs wrote: One from the archives... http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2003/oc ... pe=article now that's how you write an article intended to provoke another sport, Paul Pottinger!

Catalancs wrote: One from the archives... http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2003/oc ... pe=article now that's how you write an article intended to provoke another sport, Paul Pottinger!

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:29 pm  

I notice that Shaun Edwards (who increasingly is turning into a pie-eating Vidkun Quisling) has been in the Graun today claiming that England need more Sale players, and in turn this will somehow turn the North West union mad.

Here's hoping that Salford and Warrington can have a great season and pull in the rugby-intrigued punters of South Manchester and North Cheshire.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:08 pm  

Urmston Wire wrote:

I notice that Shaun Edwards (who increasingly is turning into a pie-eating Vidkun Quisling) has been in the Graun today claiming that England need more Sale players, and in turn this will somehow turn the North West union mad.

Here's hoping that Salford and Warrington can have a great season and pull in the rugby-intrigued punters of South Manchester and North Cheshire.

Just read it, what a strange article

One thing I do agree with is that it is overstating the case to suggest that a “great northern storm is blowing through the portals of English rugby (Union)”. With Newcastle looking dead certs for relegation and Leeds halfway up the Championship, it looks very likely that there will be just one Premiership team north of Leicester next year. Although it seems Edwards is basing great hopes on the fact that the England Six Nations squad are going to be training in Leeds!

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:12 pm  

Whilst I think Bristol will indeed finish top dog in division 2, which other clubs have the right ground for division 1 requirements?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:27 pm  

No idea... but not really that relevant for me, Bristol will be in the Premiership next year

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:10 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Whilst I think Bristol will indeed finish top dog in division 2, which other clubs have the right ground for division 1 requirements?

only Leeds and Nottingham I reckon, and neither of them are going anywhere fast. the rest of the grounds are absolutely tinpot, especially Rotherham.

crowd of 3,445 to see Newcastle lose today. looks like they've had it.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Mon Jan 09, 2012 12:43 pm  

2015 rugby union world cup CEO Paul Vaughan says he wants some tickets for some group games to be less than £10 to encourage full stadia.