Midred Posted May 18, 2023 Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 Starting at level 4 next season. If only Saracens had been sent to the bottom as well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgrsimon Posted May 19, 2023 Report Share Posted May 19, 2023 3 hours ago, Midred said: Starting at level 4 next season. If only Saracens had been sent to the bottom as well! Level 10 actually. Right at the very bottom. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Red Posted May 19, 2023 Report Share Posted May 19, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 19, 2023 Report Share Posted May 19, 2023 4 minutes ago, Northern Red said: That's an improvement. Best thing would be to go back to six pools of four teams though. Pool winners and two best runner ups through to the quarters. Top four have home advantage then a free draw for the semi finals. Easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 Hard to argue with this. They've made a right pig's ear of it. For me, the Heineken Cup was the best club competition in sport. Its decline over the last decade or so is really sad. That said, we've hopefully got a great final today. Let's hope they see sense and go back to the old format in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bard Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) 18 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: That's an improvement. Best thing would be to go back to six pools of four teams though. Pool winners and two best runner ups through to the quarters. Top four have home advantage then a free draw for the semi finals. Easy. I thought the old format was dull tbh. Loads of dead rubbers as only 3 of the 2nd place sides qualified. Rugby is very poor at organising itself. Leinster getting to the final was like a procession. All 4 knock out games at home, including the final. What a joke. His general point is well founded though. What's the common denominator between Gallagher Premiership and URC??? That's your answer to what is going on behind the scenes. Edited May 20, 2023 by The Bard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 2 hours ago, The Bard said: I thought the old format was dull tbh. Loads of dead rubbers as only 3 of the 2nd place sides qualified. Rugby is very poor at organising itself. Leinster getting to the final was like a procession. All 4 knock out games at home, including the final. What a joke. His general point is well founded though. What's the common denominator between EPCR, Gallagher Premiership and URC??? That's your answer to what is going on behind the scenes. Disagree about the old format. I think it was really cutthroat. The new format is rubbish, although I quite liked the two-legged round of 16 against all the odds! Agree about Leinster's run. Fair enough that the final is in Dublin, but I'd like a random draw for the semi finals at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 What a game of rugby that was! Incredible intensity. La Rochelle were brilliant second half. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 The goys missing out on the fifth stor. Seriously, that's one of the best finals I've seen. Freakishly good. Four Heineken Cups for ROG now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted May 26, 2023 Report Share Posted May 26, 2023 Crazy. How many teams still be in business by end of next season? https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-12129371/London-Irish-players-told-prepare-clubs-suspension-Premiership-week.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted May 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2023 6 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said: Crazy. How many teams still be in business by end of next season? https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-12129371/London-Irish-players-told-prepare-clubs-suspension-Premiership-week.html Rugby’s getting what it deserves in this country. Far too much self interest and old boys networks has led us here. RFU has to take a very sizeable share of the blame, they lost control of the elite clubs and let the Championship to rot. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted May 26, 2023 Report Share Posted May 26, 2023 14 minutes ago, Barrs Court Red said: Rugby’s getting what it deserves in this country. Far too much self interest and old boys networks has led us here. RFU has to take a very sizeable share of the blame, they lost control of the elite clubs and let the Championship to rot. Weird as it seemed destined for big things a few years ago. Needs a complete reset for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted May 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 13 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said: Weird as it seemed destined for big things a few years ago. Needs a complete reset for sure. Problem being, in that time Covid restrictions put an arrow through it financially at club level. Losing the wage cap may have helped some clubs, but just made the likes of Bristol (who were not a million miles off being cost neutral) uncompetitive overnight - though they did cock up with contracts. So all the wage cap reduction is harm everyone, and not solve the problem. Clubs can’t compete with French club’s financially, Irish sides for strength and we’re now seeing that reflected internationally as well. Personally I think the club game is going to die, and a franchise system will replace it, probably having elite regional teams. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 One thing to look forward to at Bears next season: Max Malins. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petehinton Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 Mate of mine was first team physio at wasps, now at Irish. Talk about how’s your luck. He/all staff have been asked to stick it out until end of month as they think they could strike a deal with a buyer. Everyone owed 2 months wages. It’s only gonna end one way isn’t it sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 6 minutes ago, petehinton said: Mate of mine was first team physio at wasps, now at Irish. Talk about how’s your luck. He/all staff have been asked to stick it out until end of month as they think they could strike a deal with a buyer. Everyone owed 2 months wages. It’s only gonna end one way isn’t it sadly. Shit. Poor guy. Hope everyone involved can find other gigs as quickly as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petehinton Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, MichaelRobartes said: Shit. Poor guy. Hope everyone involved can find other gigs as quickly as possible. They’re all finding jobs really fast. Especially physios as they can just do freelance. He’s actually interviewing with City soon, loves Rugby but basically can’t confidently get a job in this country anymore, has had offers abroad but doesn’t wanna do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midred Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 Darling Sarries have won the premiership with how many wins? and how may were won by breaking the financial rues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 3 hours ago, Midred said: Darling Sarries have won the premiership with how many wins? and how may were won by breaking the financial rues? None this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bard Posted May 29, 2023 Report Share Posted May 29, 2023 9 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said: Problem being, in that time Covid restrictions put an arrow through it financially at club level. Losing the wage cap may have helped some clubs, but just made the likes of Bristol (who were not a million miles off being cost neutral) uncompetitive overnight - though they did cock up with contracts. So all the wage cap reduction is harm everyone, and not solve the problem. Clubs can’t compete with French club’s financially, Irish sides for strength and we’re now seeing that reflected internationally as well. Personally I think the club game is going to die, and a franchise system will replace it, probably having elite regional teams. You could be right given the incompetence of those in charge. If they were smart they would look to create a franchise system sitting on top of club rugby where the clubs don't bankrupt themselves and are full of emerging English talent. That would provide a supply of players into the franchise league where they could play next to the likes of Charles Piatau. Some of these would then go off to international rugby whilst the others return to club rugby when the competition isn't being played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_b Posted May 29, 2023 Report Share Posted May 29, 2023 Apologies if it has been covered but what did Bears do last season to compensate those with STs for two fewer games once Wasps and Worcester went? And what were the ST prices for 2023/24 vs 2022/23 … especially as you’d already lost 2 games and now with Irish there’s a third gone? 9 home league games over an 8/9 month season is really poor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted May 30, 2023 Admin Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 13 hours ago, t_b said: Apologies if it has been covered but what did Bears do last season to compensate those with STs for two fewer games once Wasps and Worcester went? And what were the ST prices for 2023/24 vs 2022/23 … especially as you’d already lost 2 games and now with Irish there’s a third gone? 9 home league games over an 8/9 month season is really poor. I am sure they had friendly fixtures instead, didn't they play Cardiff? PS not just league matches, it includes two European pool fixtures and three Premiership cup matches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted May 30, 2023 Admin Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 London Irish have been granted an extra week by the Rugby Football Union to complete a takeover of the club. Irish's owners have been in protracted talks with an American consortium over the sale of the Premiership side. However, a deadline of 30 May had been set by the RFU, otherwise the club risked suspension from the Premiership. But it is understood another week has now been allowed, as long as the current ownership are able to pay wages on Wednesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midred Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 6 minutes ago, phantom said: London Irish have been granted an extra week by the Rugby Football Union to complete a takeover of the club. Irish's owners have been in protracted talks with an American consortium over the sale of the Premiership side. However, a deadline of 30 May had been set by the RFU, otherwise the club risked suspension from the Premiership. But it is understood another week has now been allowed, as long as the current ownership are able to pay wages on Wednesday. How embarrassing it would be for the RFU for another biggish club to go! Still amazed that Saracens got away with one year exile. Did they really cut their wage bill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderInACan Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 6 hours ago, Midred said: Still amazed that Saracens got away with one year exile A one year holiday in the championship was absolutely no punishment whatsoever. Total pisstake. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midred Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 London Irish served with winding up order by HMRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted June 6, 2023 Report Share Posted June 6, 2023 On 03/06/2023 at 13:06, Midred said: London Irish served with winding up order by HMRC. Now gone. Down to a 10 team league for next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelRobartes Posted June 7, 2023 Report Share Posted June 7, 2023 Shit for Irish. Feel sorry for all the staff and fans. They're going to have to restructure Europe. We can't give eight of ten Premiership clubs Heineken Cup places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRobin Posted June 7, 2023 Report Share Posted June 7, 2023 Bears get into Europe at least - small consolation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bard Posted June 7, 2023 Report Share Posted June 7, 2023 12 hours ago, MichaelRobartes said: Shit for Irish. Feel sorry for all the staff and fans. They're going to have to restructure Europe. We can't give eight of ten Premiership clubs Heineken Cup places. I think they should give Challenge cup places to Jersey and Ealing. I suspect they'd do okay as they'd be bang up for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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