Reappearance of old clubs for a new league.

Danny Brosnan

As mentioned in my previous article. A URC/Premiership seems unlikely to happen with the current setup of team.
Yet it’s still not entirely outside of the realm of possibility. With former URC and Premiership teams having be dissolved over a period of time. This maybe a way to get a combined league and and fifth big league in Europe. After the Top 14, Premiership, URC and RE Super Cup.

The money.
The biggest issue with this, as with any start up league, is where will the money come from. Not enough will come in from each RFU but I’m not sure that’ll be enough. So private investment will be needed but I’d strongly advise against the English model unless there is some serious oversight on the books.

Through the gates
With some teams, getting the support mightn’t be a problem. Yet like everything it needs to the proper promotion in the catchment area with a few local areas and marques names to draw the crowd. But it also has to be in an area with enough rugby interest as well.

Influencing the views.
In this day and age social media plays a big part in getting noticed for teams and leagues but a free to air TV deal is going to be important as well as getting games broadcast live on the like of YouTube and other social media sites to help attract an audience.

Cream of the crop or best of the rest?
Don’t be expecting Josh Van Der Flier, Finn Russell or others here in this league. It’s not going to happen. But who would be available for selection?. For an Irish side contracts could be offered to academy or squad players released. AIL would be worth scouting as would IQ players. A few experienced players coming to the end of there playing days would help especially to get traction with the possibility of getting into coaching. Any squads from other countries may go along the same lines. But in all reality it’ll be players past it with the best available. Yet, it’d be a great way for younger players to navigate back to a province in-between the academy and senior setup. Especially the ones that may need a bit more fine tuning or the late bloomers. Same can be said for coaches. It’s not going to be anything glamorous but it gives players or coaches the option to stay in Ireland and ply there trade. Noting against them moving abroad but it gives them that option if they chose it.

Home ground in the spotlight.
The biggest things for any of the teams in this league would be having a ground good enough to used for TV/streaming events that’s also easy to access for the fan base. Yet from a financial side it’s got to be affordable if it’s being rented by the team. It’s easy if the RFU owns it or if a RFC/RL team are willing to ground share. But even then it’s going to be an issue to ensure fixtures don’t clash.

Name of the game.
Naming this league would probably be something of a tricky issue. After all calling the Pro League, might cause issues with any other similar or previously named leagues. Yet all is based on where teams are based.

Potential teams and if they’d fit.
Three teams for this league stick out and would be a fantastic addition. But realistically they’d be more interested and probably better off staying where within there confines are London Irish, Worcester Warriors and Wasps if they ever get off the ground again. Another that probably would go back into the lower English league’s are the Jersey Reds.
Resurrection of teams like Mounts Bay (Cornwall, England), London Welsh (London, England) and a Union team based in a League stronghold of Yorkshire, Wakefield RFC would be good yet maybe problematic.
Mounts Bay have competition with Cornish Pirates. Wakefield getting union players in a league stronghold won’t be easy and getting a good fan base maybe be harder. Is there enough Welsh diaspora in London for a fan base for the team?
The Cheetahs look happy enough in the Currie Cup. But a resurrected Southern Kings might be a good addition to the league. Same could be said for Italian side Airioni. Even if getting quality players would be an issue.

Considering Scotland having an issue with getting quality underage players as well as financial issues. Would either the Border Revivers, who have merged with Edinburgh, or Aberdeen based Caledonia Reds be able to come back?
Celtic Warriors. The Wales based representative would face the same struggles as there Scottish counterparts. Financially especially.
Yet the only one the three Celtic cousins that may have the best chance of getting a spot and may work best would be a Combined Provinces squad.

Perfect on paper.
Another league is needed in Europe to freshen things up. Preferably a new one of clubs from tier one nations. Not one that combines two existing leagues into one and devalues the Champions and Challenge Cups. But something new.
Yet, until movements are made it’s just an idea. Nothing more.