Originally Posted by Mark F:
“Has everyone made up and got back together now?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24660351”
“Has everyone made up and got back together now?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24660351”
Whilst it tries to address the two competitions with a different format. I wonder by losing four places in the shield if it is the right move? Or just a fudge.
Regards qualifying for the shield.
We have 12 English Clubs, 12 Celtic League 12 and 14 French which equates to 38 of the 40.
The Cup currently has 24 places, the Shield 20. So who loses? The Italian Clubs and the Portugese, Romania?
Russia hosted the recent World Cup 7's. Their league I believe is a summer league. But with the Shield played in December and January, so as to give a window to the Six Nations and the Quarter Finals in April. Does their need to be a bigger overhaul to allow clubs from Russia or in the future Scandanavia nations to compete in the Shield or as the article suggests a third level competition.
I would imagine the real issue for any season restructure is having two major blocks of international rugby. And the cost to Professional clubs in terms of lost revenue if say you tried to consolidate dates. eg having no break between the Six Nations the two rest weeks,
However, if a third level event was created could it run during November and February and March? Or can any future competition (Russia the only European Nations B country to be affected currently by the winter) allow for such a club to play fixtures earlier/later in the season to avoid the winter extremes?
A look at the current level 3 sees Sweden if a club/team from Sweden was invited to a third tier Europe competition like Russia have issues with the Winter.
Last edited by bluesdiamond : 26-10-2013 at 10:48




He been very good for the Saints especially last Saturday's game against Saracens which I attended but he's not in Genia's class.