Danny Brosnan
Every so often it makes the rounds, last time was during the world cup 2023. Just to test the waters with supporters, which usually seems to get more negative responses than positive. But with the new TV deals and payments, it honestly looks like a Premiership and URC unification aren’t going to be making the rounds again.
Through the turnstiles.
One thing that Premiership Rugby Ltd. Has for any team, along with other agreeable standards to any professional club, is the 10,001+ seater capacity stadium. The big issue with this is it would leave current URC clubs Benetton, Connacht, Dragons, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Zebre. It would also mean Munster couldn’t use Musgrave Park. All the above teams have stadium’s with a capacity of under ten thousand. While in one respect its a good idea, the issue with me is that it may force teams out of there stronghold of supporters.
The selection box.
If this merger would go ahead, would all sixteen URC teams be involved? Would the Italian and South African teams be left in the lurch? From what I’m seeing it would be just the Irish, Scottish and Welch teams involved. As mentioned above, four of them would have to be willing to take an automatic step to the lower division of the league due to stadium capacity as it stands. As for the Italians and Saffers, it seems there isn’t any room at the table for them. So what happens them. The SARU could bring in the Cheetahs and FIR could bring back Aironi having an eight team league of there own with the possibility of expansion.
Indebt to who?
Another worrying issue that would come up from a URC perspective in the amount of debt English Premiership clubs are in. Leicester Tiger’s by the looks of it are hanging by a thread and a prayer. Let’s not forget in the 2022/23 season three clubs became more insolvent than sugar in your tea. Worcester Warriors and Wasps during the season, with London Irish following suit in the post season. The 23/24 season was supposedly to London Irish 125th season in existence. No signs of any of these clubs look like they’ll be any where near top flight rugby again. Yet the money issues for the clubs and Premiership Rugby Ltd. Could be the reason for pushing the merger. After all the financial side of any business is what keeps it going.
New league, new paywall.
As we’ve seen with previous deals in the pro 14 days of the URC and current Premiership deal. Having it behind a paywall seems attractive from a financial standpoint. Yet that’s only appealing to the true supporters of each club. The general sports or casual rugby fan may not shell out the cash to watch it. Now most people are aware of ways around this, but they’d still want have enough interest in the game for thugs played by gentlemen and ladies. So free to air games are a must to get the casuals more involved as they’ll just end up watching something else.
Cooling period.
With the new eight year deal between the Premiership, TNT Sports and RFU it seems that it’s the end of the current situation of a united league. After all it’s probably for the best. We need at least three strong leagues in Europe to try and help get and keep people involved in the game at all levels. Yet there is a possible way for this league to happen, albeit in not the most appealing ways for everyone.
Phoenix from the flame’s.
Like I’ve said mentioned Worcester Warriors, London Irish and Wasps not being in the top tier. They’ve been a few ex-urc teams wound up or been removed.
Border Reviers of Scotland, Celtic Warrior’s of Wales, Italian side Aironi and South African sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings. Former championship side Jersey Reds along with a possible combined Irish side could make a league work. Yes money between unions is tight. But It still would be possible with private investment with enough oversight from unions and league. Something like the French system where any debt has to be cleared in order to be given a competition license for the next season. It’s not going to have the best players to start with but it’ll be a good league to develop before it has the potential to grow into it’s own.
All good things…..
Unfortunately this article comes to an abrupt end. Much like the possibilities of any leagues mention above. For now at least.