Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:31 pm  

Catalancs wrote: Haven't seen cj on here for a while now. Wasps owner Steve Hayes is computer hacking suspect. How embarrassing. Lol I am still here mate don't worry Have to say it will be interesting to see Saracens next home attendance,just to see if playing at Wembley has paid off,hopefully not though.

Catalancs wrote: Haven't seen cj on here for a while now. Wasps owner Steve Hayes is computer hacking suspect. How embarrassing. Lol I am still here mate don't worry Have to say it will be interesting to see Saracens next home attendance,just to see if playing at Wembley has paid off,hopefully not though.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:29 pm  

Italian side Aironi will pull out of the Pro12 at the end of the season after their licence was revoked.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) made the decision to withdraw the licence on financial grounds. Aironi, who are bottom of the Pro12 , are expected to complete the final three games of the current season. "The federal council has decided unanimously to revoke the licence of Aironi Rugby at the end of the current season," the FIR announced.

Aironi was formed from a group of north eastern clubs and based at Viadana, but have struggled financially in the two seasons since joining the league in 2010 and are reportedly 4 million euros in debt. The FIR are planning to nominate another team for the Pro12 next season, and will have to decide whether to go for a different side in the sport's heartland or re-examine their original plans to have a team based in Rome. Previous plans to base a side in the capital also fell through for financial reasons.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:22 pm  

Anyone watch the Munster vs Ulster game today? I flicked between that and Utd, seemed to be a cracker. Some monster kicks from Ruan Pienaar!

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:34 pm  

I've said it so many times it feels like my very own catchphrase, but Aironi are gash. I'm surprised the Italian RU have bailed them out for so long. As for replacing them with another Italian club, I just don't see it working. In my opinion the problems are connected to Italian rugby, not the Aironi entity. Ironically clubs like Viadana, Rovigo and Padova were succesful, well-run clubs who actually turned a profit.
After recent reports and stories regarding the hollowness of the Welsh regions, this is more evidence that this model isn't for everyone.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:19 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

After recent reports and stories regarding the hollowness of the Welsh regions, this is more evidence that this model isn't for everyone.

Problem is, the IRB see it as the ONLY model for their game.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:29 pm  

Surely they'll never try and implement it in France and England though. They tries it in Spain and it was a disaster.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:37 am  

Young Warrior wrote:

Anyone watch the Munster vs Ulster game today? I flicked between that and Utd, seemed to be a cracker. Some monster kicks from Ruan Pienaar!

wierd game from what I saw with Munster who for me were the better team in all departments allowed Ulster to win - weird because Ulster have had a good season and have played much better in other games and lost !

popped down to Brive to see them somehow hang on to a one point victory over Llanelli - great support from the welsh fans who seemed to enjoy their french foray - pleased for Brive though where the locals are as passionate as any bunch and deserve better from a side which is enigmatic to say the least !

well done Clermont (dificult to admit from a 'Briviste' !) and a well deserved victory over the Sarries - could the Michelin men really go all the way ?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:01 pm  

I had Munster to win the thing so wasn't best pleased with the performance against Ulster.
Heineken cup semis. That time of the year when people frantically do some research before coming out as experts who've been following the tournament from the very start.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:07 pm  

what does it mean in terms of english RU ?

total wipeout this season ?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:22 pm  

Well, English clubs want to change the format. Proposals would work to Ireland's advantage but the Italians and Scots would be fecked. The idea of eight French teams would weaken the tournament because those lower down the league would not turn up, giving an easier game than Aironi. Highly debateable whether a team finishing 7th or 8th in the Premiership is any better than the likes of Treviso or Edinburgh, and we all know how little effort the weaker French clubs would put in if they were given more places. That said, we could have eight teams from each league with the proviso that the top placed Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian teams would automatically qualify to ensure representation from all countries. That would leave the remaining four places up for grabs. Could lead to some interesting matches in the middle and lower end of the table.

Well, English clubs want to change the format. Proposals would work to Ireland's advantage but the Italians and Scots would be fecked. The idea of eight French teams would weaken the tournament because those lower down the league would not turn up, giving an easier game than Aironi. Highly debateable whether a team finishing 7th or 8th in the Premiership is any better than the likes of Treviso or Edinburgh, and we all know how little effort the weaker French clubs would put in if they were given more places. That said, we could have eight teams from each league with the proviso that the top placed Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italian teams would automatically qualify to ensure representation from all countries. That would leave the remaining four places up for grabs. Could lead to some interesting matches in the middle and lower end of the table.