2024 Six Nations
Discussion
phil_cardiff said:
I won't claim to be an expert but have a reasonable understanding.
The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a s
t show.
Interesting thanks, and this bit:The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a s
t show. "The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales."
...sort of stacks with what Warburton says in the article I linked to.
phil_cardiff said:
Tom8 said:
Not the most exciting competition this year but nice to see some decent rugby played, some good tries being scored and not so many cards.
As for teams,
Ireland continue to perform well and still look strong. Best team in the world, only on their day, but then still can't get past a quarter final at RWC time.
France slipping back to which team will turn up. Thought they had sorted that but they still don't quite present as a very difficult team to beat. Although missing their top half backs may have impeded them.
England showing some green shoots? Still need to clear some of the old school dead wood.
Scotland bit like Wales need to stop focussing on the "just beat England" mentality.
Italy, great to see them finally be competitive throughout, really promising so hope it continues.
Wales? Well pretty bad but then they have blooded an awful lot of payers. Not sure how many of them are good enough though. Interesting 18 months ahead for them and Gatland. Not sure Gatland has what it takes to build a new squad at this stage in his own career.
We don't have a just beat England mentality. We have a just beat someone, anyone, mentality As for teams,
Ireland continue to perform well and still look strong. Best team in the world, only on their day, but then still can't get past a quarter final at RWC time.
France slipping back to which team will turn up. Thought they had sorted that but they still don't quite present as a very difficult team to beat. Although missing their top half backs may have impeded them.
England showing some green shoots? Still need to clear some of the old school dead wood.
Scotland bit like Wales need to stop focussing on the "just beat England" mentality.
Italy, great to see them finally be competitive throughout, really promising so hope it continues.
Wales? Well pretty bad but then they have blooded an awful lot of payers. Not sure how many of them are good enough though. Interesting 18 months ahead for them and Gatland. Not sure Gatland has what it takes to build a new squad at this stage in his own career.
Kermit power said:
Mr Magooagain said:
LRDefender said:
Great 6 Nations this year and it's about time Georgia was allowed to compete in the (Seven Nations) competition.
They beat Portugal 36 - 10 yesterday to claim the Rugby Europe Championship for the 13th time in 14 years. Rugby is hugely popular in Georgia and they could do with the cash boost the home matches would provide.
I can’t see it happening.They beat Portugal 36 - 10 yesterday to claim the Rugby Europe Championship for the 13th time in 14 years. Rugby is hugely popular in Georgia and they could do with the cash boost the home matches would provide.
Georgia RFU would have to become shareholders in the six/seven nations competition like the already existing countries RFU’s are.
I also think it's a bit odd that the nations - and, indeed, the clubs in the Premiership - have permanent shares in the competition, as this automatically limits opportunities for promotion/relegation. The Oikball Premier League seems a far more sensible structure, in that it is owned by the constituent clubs, but at the end of the season the shares of relegated clubs are transferred to the clubs being promoted from the Championship.
Yes as you say it’s their ball and no one else is playing!
Having Italy in evened the numbers of course this last 24 years or so.
I know it’s closed shop etc but it’s a great competition.
CivicDuties said:
Maybe the Six Nations could conjure up some sort of arrangement by which there was a "guest" nation every year, allocated to whoever wins the Rugby Europe Championship. OK, that'd be Georgia every year at the moment, but perhaps would incentivise the others to catch up?
Still.leaves a bye week. Georgia and a random team?CivicDuties said:
Maybe the Six Nations could conjure up some sort of arrangement by which there was a "guest" nation every year, allocated to whoever wins the Rugby Europe Championship. OK, that'd be Georgia every year at the moment, but perhaps would incentivise the others to catch up?
Warburton mentioned this again on the weekend. The bottom team in the 6 nations, should have a play-off with the top side in the championship and the winner appearing in next seasons 6 nations. Would potentially give the championship a chance to improve and compete at the highest level.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
CivicDuties said:
Maybe the Six Nations could conjure up some sort of arrangement by which there was a "guest" nation every year, allocated to whoever wins the Rugby Europe Championship. OK, that'd be Georgia every year at the moment, but perhaps would incentivise the others to catch up?
Still.leaves a bye week. Georgia and a random team?Challo said:
CivicDuties said:
Maybe the Six Nations could conjure up some sort of arrangement by which there was a "guest" nation every year, allocated to whoever wins the Rugby Europe Championship. OK, that'd be Georgia every year at the moment, but perhaps would incentivise the others to catch up?
Warburton mentioned this again on the weekend. The bottom team in the 6 nations, should have a play-off with the top side in the championship and the winner appearing in next seasons 6 nations. Would potentially give the championship a chance to improve and compete at the highest level.
Legend83 said:
phil_cardiff said:
I won't claim to be an expert but have a reasonable understanding.
The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a st show.
Interesting thanks, and this bit:The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a s
t show. "The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales."
...sort of stacks with what Warburton says in the article I linked to.
phil_cardiff said:
basherX said:
Listening to Biggar on the Rugby Pod- he’s already becoming a helluva pundit, isn’t he?
Very sharp guy and a top bloke off the field. I can see why opposition fans hated him but I loved having him at the Ospreys and for Wales. 
Kermit power said:
Legend83 said:
phil_cardiff said:
I won't claim to be an expert but have a reasonable understanding.
The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a st show.
Interesting thanks, and this bit:The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales.
That's not to say the WRU should copy the Irish model. The IRFU don't have to pay for the stadium upkeep and rely heavily on private schools in the Dublin area.
The WRU have also spent a fair amount recently on things like hotels and zip wires. Fine if they make money but not great optics when the core products are struggling.
Historically the WRU chose to pay off debt during a period of historically low interest rates. A decision that hasn't aged well.
The WRU have spent quite a bit on NDAs and payoffs for rugby staff and corporate severanceals too. I suspect there's a lot of fat that could be trimmed internally.
All in all, it's a s
t show. "The WRU have similar income levels to the IRFU. The Irish spend less on the community game and more on the professional game. There are probably too many community clubs in Wales."
...sort of stacks with what Warburton says in the article I linked to.
Frankly, if they don't run junior sides they shouldn't get a penny.
phil_cardiff said:
To an extent. All clubs in Wales receive a WRU grant. If they run junior sides the receive more.
Frankly, if they don't run junior sides they shouldn't get a penny.
My immediate thought is to agree with you, although I think I'd want to investigate the consequences before acting on it.Frankly, if they don't run junior sides they shouldn't get a penny.
How many clubs currently don't run junior sides? Would removing their grants shut them down? If it would, what would the knock on impact be on other local clubs who do run junior sides? Would it risk closing them down because their senior teams couldn't find enough opponents to remain viable?
I've no idea if that's a genuine risk or not, just looking for potential unintended consequences.
WRU seem determined to force some clubs to fold. The current league my local team play in is packed with other local teams. There is only 1 or 2 away games where they have to travel say 40 miles everything else is probably 15 miles away max. Most 2-3 miles.
WRU are rearranging the league next season so they’ll end up with at least 4-5 away games a season over 60 miles away. They’re already paying a poor standard of rugby and some lads either won’t have the time for that travel or be arsed to sit in a bus for 90 minutes plus each way for a hiding every other week.
The current local league structure created big crowds and more cash for the clubs. The rugby was competitive enough too
WRU are rearranging the league next season so they’ll end up with at least 4-5 away games a season over 60 miles away. They’re already paying a poor standard of rugby and some lads either won’t have the time for that travel or be arsed to sit in a bus for 90 minutes plus each way for a hiding every other week.
The current local league structure created big crowds and more cash for the clubs. The rugby was competitive enough too
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