The Rugby Union Thread

elstoof · October 2023

The RFU want to sell out twickenham every match, the Fiji game 2 months ago was barely half full as there doesn’t seem to be as much interest if it’s not a tier 1 opponent. The lower tier teams do need more exposure and game time, I just don’t think there’s a fan base to support it unless the big unions are willing to share the wealth a bit better, I’d go and watch them play Portugal et al if they were willing to drop the ticket price but that’ll never happen. I’ve started going to women’s football games with my daughter, tickets are cheap, great atmosphere, record crowd for a women’s league game

fretmeister · October 2023

guitars4you said:

What happens if Scotland or Wales finish bottom - Think they have once or twice since it has been a 6 nations tournament

They drop out. Just like everyone else would. It cannot be a reserved slot system.

exocet · October 2023

fretmeister said:

guitars4you said:

What happens if Scotland or Wales finish bottom - Think they have once or twice since it has been a 6 nations tournament

They drop out. Just like everyone else would. It cannot be a reserved slot system.

At which point the 6N folds. Financially, dropping out of the 6N would ruin Rugby in Wales / Scotland - they simply wouldn't recover. I'd say a second tier European International Tournament is required to establish itself (teams / standards and money) before promotion/ relegation could be considered. Or go back to an amateur only game?

rsvmark · October 2023

elstoof said:

The RFU want to sell out twickenham every match, the Fiji game 2 months ago was barely half full as there doesn’t seem to be as much interest if it’s not a tier 1 opponent. The lower tier teams do need more exposure and game time, I just don’t think there’s a fan base to support it unless the big unions are willing to share the wealth a bit better, I’d go and watch them play Portugal et al if they were willing to drop the ticket price but that’ll never happen. I’ve started going to women’s football games with my daughter, tickets are cheap, great atmosphere, record crowd for a women’s league game

Twickenham prices are ridiculous…… drop the prices and host games around the regions. By the time you have travel costs, early starts or even hotel bills, watching England at HQ is an expensive business. Attendance might be the the same but better atmosphere and you promote the game in the regions…..?

Dr_Necessiter · October 2023

Given the degree of entertain on offer for England supporters right now, I couldn’t justify the expense of a trip to Twickenham, probably plus night out and stopover in London.

If I want to stick needles in my eyes I may as well do it on the cheap.

Gassage · October 2023

rsvmark said:

elstoof said:

The RFU want to sell out twickenham every match, the Fiji game 2 months ago was barely half full as there doesn’t seem to be as much interest if it’s not a tier 1 opponent. The lower tier teams do need more exposure and game time, I just don’t think there’s a fan base to support it unless the big unions are willing to share the wealth a bit better, I’d go and watch them play Portugal et al if they were willing to drop the ticket price but that’ll never happen. I’ve started going to women’s football games with my daughter, tickets are cheap, great atmosphere, record crowd for a women’s league game

Twickenham prices are ridiculous…… drop the prices and host games around the regions. By the time you have travel costs, early starts or even hotel bills, watching England at HQ is an expensive business. Attendance might be the the same but better atmosphere and you promote the game in the regions…..?

Then you still have the Twickers overhead.

rsvmark · October 2023

Gassage said:

rsvmark said:

elstoof said:

The RFU want to sell out twickenham every match, the Fiji game 2 months ago was barely half full as there doesn’t seem to be as much interest if it’s not a tier 1 opponent. The lower tier teams do need more exposure and game time, I just don’t think there’s a fan base to support it unless the big unions are willing to share the wealth a bit better, I’d go and watch them play Portugal et al if they were willing to drop the ticket price but that’ll never happen. I’ve started going to women’s football games with my daughter, tickets are cheap, great atmosphere, record crowd for a women’s league game

Twickenham prices are ridiculous…… drop the prices and host games around the regions. By the time you have travel costs, early starts or even hotel bills, watching England at HQ is an expensive business. Attendance might be the the same but better atmosphere and you promote the game in the regions…..?

Then you still have the Twickers overhead.

Nah, flog it. Better still convert to the London HS2 terminus!

hywelg · October 2023

rsvmark said:

Changing topic slightly. One commentator mentioned that one of the lower ranked nations (I can’t recall who….. ) now had no test matches planned after the World Cup. None. And yet our autumn internationals were announced as (yawn) Australia, ABs and the Boks. I don’t know who makes these decisions but with the national game in crisis, players going to France either for the dough or because they are offered a decent contract (a well known player from one of the clubs who went bust was offered an annual salary of £50k btw) There is a lack of funding and investment in the international lower tiers, so why don’t we play Fiji, Georgia, USA etc in the autumn internationals- they are massive money spinners and should be used to share financials and promotion globally. Or is that just too simple?

Why dont we invite these third tier mations to tour the UK? Play the better clubs, even possibly Wales , England 'A' teams. It would give a good chance for coaches to try out new talent. And while we are on that subject why dont countries have Probables vs Possibles matches anymore?? Would be a nice little earner, no?

exocet · October 2023

hywelg said:

rsvmark said:

Changing topic slightly. One commentator mentioned that one of the lower ranked nations (I can’t recall who….. ) now had no test matches planned after the World Cup. None. And yet our autumn internationals were announced as (yawn) Australia, ABs and the Boks. I don’t know who makes these decisions but with the national game in crisis, players going to France either for the dough or because they are offered a decent contract (a well known player from one of the clubs who went bust was offered an annual salary of £50k btw) There is a lack of funding and investment in the international lower tiers, so why don’t we play Fiji, Georgia, USA etc in the autumn internationals- they are massive money spinners and should be used to share financials and promotion globally. Or is that just too simple?

Why dont we invite these third tier mations to tour the UK? Play the better clubs, even possibly Wales , England 'A' teams. It would give a good chance for coaches to try out new talent. And while we are on that subject why dont countries have Probables vs Possibles matches anymore?? Would be a nice little earner, no?

There's some "history" to address first.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-union-england-fiji-finance-idUKKBN13D1FU

hywelg · October 2023

exocet said:

hywelg said:

rsvmark said:

Changing topic slightly. One commentator mentioned that one of the lower ranked nations (I can’t recall who….. ) now had no test matches planned after the World Cup. None. And yet our autumn internationals were announced as (yawn) Australia, ABs and the Boks. I don’t know who makes these decisions but with the national game in crisis, players going to France either for the dough or because they are offered a decent contract (a well known player from one of the clubs who went bust was offered an annual salary of £50k btw) There is a lack of funding and investment in the international lower tiers, so why don’t we play Fiji, Georgia, USA etc in the autumn internationals- they are massive money spinners and should be used to share financials and promotion globally. Or is that just too simple?

Why dont we invite these third tier mations to tour the UK? Play the better clubs, even possibly Wales , England 'A' teams. It would give a good chance for coaches to try out new talent. And while we are on that subject why dont countries have Probables vs Possibles matches anymore?? Would be a nice little earner, no?

There's some "history" to address first.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-union-england-fiji-finance-idUKKBN13D1FU

Yeah that is a bit unfair. Maybe World Rugby need to force the host nation to pay, say, 10% of gate receipts to the visiting Union. More competition is good for the sport, but it can't prosper if all the second two tier countries don't pay the opponents anything at all (which is what that article suggested was policy and that the RFU were being very generous in giving £75k out of £10m)

guitars4you · October 2023

exocet said:

fretmeister said:

guitars4you said:

What happens if Scotland or Wales finish bottom - Think they have once or twice since it has been a 6 nations tournament

They drop out. Just like everyone else would. It cannot be a reserved slot system.

At which point the 6N folds. Financially, dropping out of the 6N would ruin Rugby in Wales / Scotland - they simply wouldn't recover. I'd say a second tier European International Tournament is required to establish itself (teams / standards and money) before promotion/ relegation could be considered. Or go back to an amateur only game?

I fully appreciate you can't have a reserved slot system - But equally how can you have a 6 nations tournament without Scotland or Wales - I recall Scotland have finished last, not sure if Wales have ?

Awkward one in many ways - Finances, crowd support for say a Georgia or Portugal v 6 nations team inc TV support which will determine ad stream revenue - Yet the game needs to develop and move on

As a matter of interest, we know it is common for the Aussies and NZ in particular to pull promising players from say Samoa, Tonga, Fiji etc - Have any of the 6 nations yet pulled from Portugal, Georgia etc at international level - Not encouraging it, just a thought

elstoof · October 2023

Portugal are arguably a France B team, half the squad are French players from the 2nd division with Portuguese ancestry. The professional Georgians also play in France as they’re entitled to work in council of Europe member states, it would be straightforward to qualify for the French team under residency but I don’t recall that happening yet

Gassage · October 2023

Nah, flog it. Better still convert to the London HS2 terminus!

Believe it or not I agree with the first bit.

koneguitarist · October 2023

guitars4you said:

exocet said:

fretmeister said:

guitars4you said:

What happens if Scotland or Wales finish bottom - Think they have once or twice since it has been a 6 nations tournament

They drop out. Just like everyone else would. It cannot be a reserved slot system.

At which point the 6N folds. Financially, dropping out of the 6N would ruin Rugby in Wales / Scotland - they simply wouldn't recover. I'd say a second tier European International Tournament is required to establish itself (teams / standards and money) before promotion/ relegation could be considered. Or go back to an amateur only game?

I fully appreciate you can't have a reserved slot system - But equally how can you have a 6 nations tournament without Scotland or Wales - I recall Scotland have finished last, not sure if Wales have ?

Awkward one in many ways - Finances, crowd support for say a Georgia or Portugal v 6 nations team inc TV support which will determine ad stream revenue - Yet the game needs to develop and move on

As a matter of interest, we know it is common for the Aussies and NZ in particular to pull promising players from say Samoa, Tonga, Fiji etc - Have any of the 6 nations yet pulled from Portugal, Georgia etc at international level - Not encouraging it, just a thought

Wales have finished last quite a few times in 5 nations, and I’m sure they have in 6 nations as well.

fretmeister · October 2023

Apparently Shrek has decided that as the Ford/Farrell combo didn’t work…. Ford is getting dropped for the weekend.

*#&*#**&#£ #*@%&£

elstoof · October 2023

Scotland bottom 2015, 2012, 2007, 2004
France bottom 2013
Wales bottom 2003

digitalscream · October 2023

fretmeister said:

Apparently Shrek has decided that as the Ford/Farrell combo didn’t work…. Ford is getting dropped for the weekend.

*#&*#**&#£ #*@%&£

Well, according to the rumours, you can't drop the man who makes the selection decisions for you

scrumhalf · October 2023

fretmeister said:

Apparently Shrek has decided that as the Ford/Farrell combo didn’t work…. Ford is getting dropped for the weekend.

*#&*#**&#£ #*@%&£

Unbelievable. I was going to write some more but I can't put together the words that properly reflect my astonishment, disbelief and outrage.

Unbelievable.

rsvmark · October 2023

Blimey. It’s all in the times this morning.

Ford dropped
Smith replaces Steward
Erasmus accuses French of ‘simulation’
Eddie Jones confirmed by Sydney Herald for zoom interview with Japan
Irelands calm press conference after confirming team a day early
wales options at no 8
Start of the premiership on Friday

Anyone would think it’s a slow football news day!

elstoof · October 2023

All that licking of Farrell’s arse never seems to get Ford anywhere

Blaendulais · October 2023

England are like Ireland when a Farell says to do something ...they do it. Hes a malign influence within the England squad.

tbm · October 2023

My wife reminded me last Sunday that over a year ago we bought tickets to see the Lion King in Dublin with the kids. It's on Saturday night at 7.30. I mean, I hate musicals with a raw passion anyway, but f*ck me.....

I'm hoping for a 6Ns last 4. Good odds I'd say. Ire v NZ and Fra v Boks a toss of the coin maybe slightly favouring the Europeans, Wales should beat the Pumas. Eng v Fiji? I dunno. I really don't!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

The Rugby Union Thread

Comments