Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

gilesdebond · 05-02-2016 10:10am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Future seasons will be different with no world cup. First weekend of January should and will probably change. Corinthians are at home this weekend so will go to their game against Nenagh. Corinthians need win to have any hope of surviving but unlikely...

Very hard to see them staying up this year. Nenagh are a big side that will bully their pack. They also have failed to score a try since the 28th November.

madlad88 · 05-02-2016 12:31pm

gilesdebond wrote: »

Two semi finals and a final. 16th April for semi and 30th for final. Higher placed team has home advantage. Not sure about the final but i would presume it at a nutral venue.

9th v 4th
2nd v 3rd

Ah that's a bit ridiculous now 2 extra games at the end of an 18 game season.

Tarf1234 · 05-02-2016 1:33pm

madlad88 wrote: »

Ah that's a bit ridiculous now 2 extra games at the end of an 18 game season.

To a certain extent it is much the same as the play offs at the top of 1A which are fantastic and even as a club who have come out the wrong side of it we love it. It gives additional drive for teams who are not going to get 1st but can get top 4.

The Lost Sheep · 05-02-2016 1:56pm

gilesdebond wrote: »

Two semi finals and a final. 16th April for semi and 30th for final. Higher placed team has home advantage. Not sure about the final but i would presume it at a nutral venue.

9th v 4th
2nd v 3rd

Final I assume would be higher placed side though could be neutral venue.

gilesdebond wrote: »

Very hard to see them staying up this year. Nenagh are a big side that will bully their pack. They also have failed to score a try since the 28th November.

Nenagh have a big pack and concede relatively little. They've turned things around since the heavy defeat to Malone in November with 6 wins in 7 competitive games including a cup win over Dolphin. Kolio Hifo, former Young Munster has made big difference when he's played

madlad88 wrote: »

Ah that's a bit ridiculous now 2 extra games at the end of an 18 game season.

Is it really? Clubs will have played 20+ games between cups and it adds something more than the simple playoff of 2nd bottom v second.

Tarf1234 · 05-02-2016 2:02pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Is it really? Clubs will have played 20+ games between cups and it adds something more than the simple playoff of 2nd bottom v second.

Agreed, gives an additional 2 clubs the big day out as well in what might otherwise be a flat end to a season.

From a financial point of view a home play off is also a great thing to have. Was out in Terenure last year when we played them and I'm sure they made a small fortune and in this day and age that is very difficult to come by

ArmchairQB · 05-02-2016 4:28pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Agreed, gives an additional 2 clubs the big day out as well in what might otherwise be a flat end to a season.

From a financial point of view a home play off is also a great thing to have. Was out in Terenure last year when we played them and I'm sure they made a small fortune and in this day and age that is very difficult to come by

Believe it or not one of the more crazy laws re the playoffs is that at the semi final even though s team (say Terenure as it was last season) finish 2nd a get rewarded with a home semi final they must split the gate with the visiting team (Clontarf as it was last season) madness but true!

Tarf1234 · 05-02-2016 5:23pm

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Believe it or not one of the more crazy laws re the playoffs is that at the semi final even though s team (say Terenure as it was last season) finish 2nd a get rewarded with a home semi final they must split the gate with the visiting team (Clontarf as it was last season) madness but true!

Split the gate in principle only!!! I know for a fact that is not what truly happened last year (I agree it is a mad rule though). They still made a lot of money from the lunch and bar. I would think the gate was bringing in the majority of the money.

The Lost Sheep · 05-02-2016 11:28pm

Clontarf beat Terenure 18-14

vienne86 · 05-02-2016 11:55pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Clontarf beat Terenure 18-14

What's happened to Terenure this season?

Tarf1234 · 08-02-2016 11:20am

vienne86 wrote: »

What's happened to Terenure this season?

They've been struggling for over a year now really. They're not a bad side but I think if they don't get out of the bottom 2 they'll go down

The Lost Sheep · 08-02-2016 1:32pm

vienne86 wrote: »

What's happened to Terenure this season?

Nothing major. They had a lot of momentum last season built on going up from division 2A in 12-13 to going unbeaten in 1B in 13-14 to doing well last season in 1A but that's big steps to make up in a short time and theyre simply finding it very difficult now theyre up in 1A.

Only 1 or 2 games next weekend as some teams catch up on games...

Stainalert · 08-02-2016 3:50pm

Ireland Club Team (v France Federale, Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Friday, February 12th, 8pm)

15. Danny Riordan (Old Belvedere)
14. James McInerney (Garryowen)
13. Stephen Murphy (UCD)
12. Matt D'Arcy (Clontarf) Captain
11. Mark Roche (Lansdowne)
10. Scott Deasy (Lansdowne)
9. Angus Lloyd (Dublin University)

1. Ian Prendiville (Lansdowne)
2. Eddie Rossiter (Old Belvedere)
3. Declan Lavery (Old Belvedere)
4. Ciaran Ruddock (St.Mary's)
5. David Whann (Ballymena)

6. Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne)
7. Paul Pritchard (Ballynahinch)
8. Tony Ryan (Clontarf)

Substitutes
16. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution)
17. Ger Sweeney (Cork Constitution)
18. Ivan Soroka (Clontarf)
19. Connor Smyth (Ballymena)
20. Adrian D'Arcy (Clontarf)
21. Neil Cronin (Garryowen)
22. Jack McDermott (Dublin University)
23. Rodger McBurney (Ballymena)

Stainalert · 08-02-2016 3:50pm

Ireland Club Team (v France Federale, Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Friday, February 12th, 8pm)

15. Danny Riordan (Old Belvedere)
14. James McInerney (Garryowen)
13. Stephen Murphy (UCD)
12. Matt D'Arcy (Clontarf) Captain
11. Mark Roche (Lansdowne)
10. Scott Deasy (Lansdowne)
9. Angus Lloyd (Dublin University)

1. Ian Prendiville (Lansdowne)
2. Eddie Rossiter (Old Belvedere)
3. Declan Lavery (Old Belvedere)
4. Ciaran Ruddock (St.Mary's)
5. David Whann (Ballymena)

6. Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne)
7. Paul Pritchard (Ballynahinch)
8. Tony Ryan (Clontarf)

Substitutes
16. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution)
17. Ger Sweeney (Cork Constitution)
18. Ivan Soroka (Clontarf)
19. Connor Smyth (Ballymena)
20. Adrian D'Arcy (Clontarf)
21. Neil Cronin (Garryowen)
22. Jack McDermott (Dublin University)
23. Rodger McBurney (Ballymena)

Tarf1234 · 08-02-2016 5:18pm

Great to see them pick such a strong squad this year. Delighted to see Matt Darcy selected as captain again

RobbieRuns · 09-02-2016 2:54pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Great to see them pick such a strong squad this year. Delighted to see Matt Darcy selected as captain again

You mean Matt D'Arcy?

Tarf1234 · 09-02-2016 2:57pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

You mean Matt D'Arcy?

Apologies D'Arcy indeed

The Lost Sheep · 12-02-2016 6:47pm

There is a stream of the club international game on the IRFU website

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36922.php#.Vr4aXk2zIdU

The Lost Sheep · 12-02-2016 6:47pm

There is a stream of the club international game on the IRFU website

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36922.php#.Vr4aXk2zIdU

ArmchairQB · 12-02-2016 10:48pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

There is a stream of the club international game on the IRFU website

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36922.php#.Vr4aXk2zIdU

Won 12-16

Tarf1234 · 18-02-2016 1:34pm

Any thoughts for the weekend?

Mine are:

1A
Nure v UCD: UCD could be missing a huge amount but still think they'll have enough for a sadly struggling Terenure
Con v Tarf: Both teams likely to be missing a few players. Tough place to go but fancy us to win
Wegians v Garryowen: Garryowen have the right side to win in Wegians big physical pack which could bully wegians
Lansdowne v OB: Can't see anything other then a Lansdowne win. OB in awful form
YM v Hinch: Anything other then a YM win would be a huge surprise.

1B
Shannon v UL: Home win
Rock v Ballymena: Comfortable win for Ballymena
Dolphin v B Quins: Qiuns all but down at this stage Dolphin win
Trinity v OW: Trinity need this to stay in Top 2. I think they'll have enough but would expect an exciting game
Marys v buccs: Marys win

The Lost Sheep · 18-02-2016 10:53pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Any thoughts for the weekend?

Mine are:
1A
Nure v UCD: UCD could be missing a huge amount but still think they'll have enough for a sadly struggling Terenure
Con v Tarf: Both teams likely to be missing a few players. Tough place to go but fancy us to win
Wegians v Garryowen: Garryowen have the right side to win in Wegians big physical pack which could bully wegians
Lansdowne v OB: Can't see anything other then a Lansdowne win. OB in awful form
YM v Hinch: Anything other then a YM win would be a huge surprise.

1B
Shannon v UL: Home win
Rock v Ballymena: Comfortable win for Ballymena
Dolphin v B Quins: Qiuns all but down at this stage Dolphin win
Trinity v OW: Trinity need this to stay in Top 2. I think they'll have enough but would expect an exciting game
Marys v buccs: Marys win

Agree on those...

Thoughts on division 2? Division 2A is real interesting this weekend as its 4th v 3rd, 2nd v 5th, 6th v 1st, 8th v 7th, 9th v 10th....

RAKM · 19-02-2016 10:49pm

Nure 13 UCD 0.

vienne86 · 19-02-2016 11:18pm

RAKM wrote: »

Nure 13 UCD 0.

That'll give Terenure some lift!

The Lost Sheep · 19-02-2016 11:26pm

Tonights other results
1B: UL Bohemians 25 Shannon 22
2B: Greystones 29 Seapoint 15

Tarf1234 · 20-02-2016 12:12pm

vienne86 wrote: »

RAKM wrote: »

Nure 13 UCD 0.

That'll give Terenure some lift!

Add your reply here.

Massive for them. Huge result

The Lost Sheep · 20-02-2016 6:33pm

1A
Terenure College 13 UCD 0
Cork Constitution 12 Clontarf 18
Galwegians 30 Garryowen 17
Lansdowne 15 Old Belvedere 27
Young Munster 7 Ballynahinch 6

1B
Shannon 22 UL Bohemians 25
Blackrock College 18 Ballymena 16
Dolphin 23 Belfast Harlequins 22
Dublin University 43 Old Wesley 17
St. Mary's College 19 Buccaneers 16

2A
Malone 13 UCC 16
Naas 16 Cashel 6
Nenagh Ormond 14 Banbridge 7
Skerries 29 Queens University 12
Thomond 3 Galway Corinthians 12

2B
Seapoint 15 Greystones 29
Armagh 19 City Of Derry 16
Bective Rangers 8 MU Barnhall 24
Dungannon 8 Highfield 22
Sundays Well Rainey OB

2C
Boyne 9 Old Crescent 21
Dundalk 29 Wanderers 32
Kanturk 12 Bruff 24
Midleton 29 Sligo 5
Navan 8 Tullamore 8

Tarf1234 · 26-02-2016 11:57am

Thoughts for the weekend. Few surprises last weekend.

My predictions for 1A/B:

1A:
Tarf v YM: Huge game. Will go a long way to deciding top 2 I think. I reckon home win.

Garryowen v Nure: Great result from Nure last week. Think Garryowen will have too much at home though

Lansdowne v Wegians: Must win for Lansdowne you'd have to think. Depends on who they are missing but I think they get the job done

OB v Hinch: 2 teams desperate for wins. Backing OB

UCD v Con: Can see an upset here. UCD missing a lot and Con could really do with the win

1B:
Ballymena v Shannon: Ballymena falling off the pace. Still think they'll have more then enough to win

Buccs v Quins: This could be the week Quins are relegated. Buccs win

Old Wes v Dolphin: Old Wes win

Marys v Rock: Rock very average this year Marys far too strong

UL v Trinity: Trinity to keep going and win

Stainalert · 04-03-2016 5:52pm

Some great match ups this weekend in 1A

BALLYNAHINCH (10th) v CLONTARF (1st) - Tarf can copperfasten their lead with a likely win. Hinch look dead and buried
CORK CONSTITUTION (4th) v GARRYOWEN (5th) - Con must be favourites for this given their performance away to college last week
GALWEGIANS (8th) v OLD BELVEDERE (7th) - Both teams still within reach of the dreaded 9th position so nothing taken for granted here. Fancy Belvo to sneak an away win
TERENURE COLLEGE (9th) v LANSDOWNE (6th) - Cup final for both teams as Terenure must win to get out of relegation territory whilst Lansdowne have to win to keep play off hopes alive
YOUNG MUNSTER (3rd) v UCD (2nd) - Expect UCD to be a lot stronger this week but always difficult in Greenfields so think Munsters to prevail

vienne86 · 05-03-2016 9:51pm

Stainalert wrote: »

Some great match ups this weekend in 1A

BALLYNAHINCH (10th) v CLONTARF (1st) - Tarf can copperfasten their lead with a likely win. Hinch look dead and buried
CORK CONSTITUTION (4th) v GARRYOWEN (5th) - Con must be favourites for this given their performance away to college last week
GALWEGIANS (8th) v OLD BELVEDERE (7th) - Both teams still within reach of the dreaded 9th position so nothing taken for granted here. Fancy Belvo to sneak an away win
TERENURE COLLEGE (9th) v LANSDOWNE (6th) - Cup final for both teams as Terenure must win to get out of relegation territory whilst Lansdowne have to win to keep play off hopes alive
YOUNG MUNSTER (3rd) v UCD (2nd) - Expect UCD to be a lot stronger this week but always difficult in Greenfields so think Munsters to prevail

Your analysis proved fairly accurate! Terenure got a much needed win, Munster kept UCD at bay.

The Lost Sheep · 06-03-2016 11:58am

Didn't get to a game this weekend but still all to play for in each division with 2 rounds left

1A:
Ballynahinch 13 Clontarf 31, Cork Constitution 16 Garryowen 14, Galwegians 24 Old Belvedere 32, Terenure College 32 Lansdowne 3, Young Munster 28 UCD 13

1B:
Shannon 3 St. Mary's College 24, Belfast Harlequins 29 Old Wesley 24, Blackrock College 10 Buccaneers 20, Dolphin 16 UL Bohemians 18, Dublin University 34 Ballymena 19

2A:
Banbridge 54 Thomond 0, Cashel 31 Skerries 14, Corinthians 15 Malone 11, Queen's University 25 Nenagh Ormond 38, UCC 15 Naas 20

2B
City of Derry 8 Sunday's Well 11, Greystones 5 Dungannon 8, Highfield 22 Armagh 15, MU Barnhall 36 Seapoint 21, Rainey Old Boys 9 Bective Rangers 36

2C
Bruff 26 Navan 15, Old Crescent 64 Kanturk 15, Sligo 24 Boyne 21, Tullamore 28 Dundalk 8, Wanderers 5 Midleton 16

gilesdebond · 08-03-2016 12:53pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Agree on those...

Thoughts on division 2? Division 2A is real interesting this weekend as its 4th v 3rd, 2nd v 5th, 6th v 1st, 8th v 7th, 9th v 10th....

Division 2A now a two horse race. Banbridge to play Corinthians away and Malone @ home. Naas to play Malone away and Skerries @ home.

Heard Corinthians have a lot of academy players back to avoid the automatic relegation spot so could be a tricky trip for Ban.

Malone have won one game in 5 and now in 6th. They've beaten Naas already away from home but results show they're off the boil.

Nenagh & UCC look the best of the rest to make the playoff. UCC unlucky not to beat Naas @ the weekend and Nenagh unbeaten in 6.

phog · 09-03-2016 11:11am

FOLLOWING on from Brendan Fanning’s excellent piece in the Sunday Independent with David Nucifora, on March 6. Game Over Ball Burst understands that the IRFU are planning a major overhaul of the All Ireland League in 2018, with the preferred option being an 8 team league, with teams being ‘invited’ to be part of the new look structure.

more here

thomond2006 · 09-03-2016 11:20am

Changing the name of the divisions from 1A, 2B, 55C would be a start.

sfbdqc · 09-03-2016 11:29am

If they go that direction, you'd imagine whatever teams are in the top division would essentially be academy teams.
Could be very messy.

phog · 09-03-2016 11:33am

sfbdqc wrote: »

If they go that direction, you'd imagine whatever teams are in the top division would essentially be academy teams.

You'd imagine that's part of the reasoning behind the idea - fewer but stronger teams feeding into the provinces.

Could be very messy

Why?

sfbdqc · 09-03-2016 11:36am

phog wrote: »

Why?

What happens to the team that get's relegated? so all those academy players move down to play provincial club rugby or do the transfer to the team coming up?

How many teams get relegated? What if a connacht team gets relegated and a leinster team promoted?

Who chooses what clubs play in this league?

Which dublin clubs lose out?

phog · 09-03-2016 12:08pm

sfbdqc wrote: »

What happens to the team that get's relegated? so all those academy players move down to play provincial club rugby or do the transfer to the team coming up?

How many teams get relegated? What if a connacht team gets relegated and a leinster team promoted?

Is there going to be relegations?

Even if there is, players move around nowadays anyway.

Which dublin clubs lose out?

Who chooses what clubs play in this league?

From the link above.

How exactly the IRFU plan to ‘invite’ eight teams into a new look league is open for debate.

sfbdqc · 09-03-2016 12:13pm

phog wrote: »

Is there going to be relegations?

Even if there is, players move around nowadays anyway.

From the link above.

exactly it could get very messy.

The Lost Sheep · 09-03-2016 12:16pm

phog wrote: »

more here

Dislike that

thomond2006 wrote: »

Changing the name of the divisions from 1A, 2B, 55C would be a start.

I don't see too much of an issue with the names. Keep 1A/B then maybe a division 2 and a division 3A/B with the division 3 slightly regionalized to help reduce costs.

sfbdqc wrote: »

If they go that direction, you'd imagine whatever teams are in the top division would essentially be academy teams.
Could be very messy.

Could be and don't think we should go down that line.

phog wrote: »

You'd imagine that's part of the reasoning behind the idea - fewer but stronger teams feeding into the provinces.

Don't agree with that.

Why?

If theres promotion/relegation it affects some provinces more than others. Look at division 1/2 and numbers of clubs from each province as it is. 2 Connacht clubs between 1A/1B. Ulster has 1 club in 1A and theyre almost certainly going to be relegated to 1B. They'll have 2 in 1B next season. This causes issues.

Tarf1234 · 09-03-2016 12:48pm

Just catching up on this and a lot going on with it. I'd imagine it would be simple enough, 8 teams 2 Munster (1 Limerick & 1 Cork), 4 Dublin, 1 Ulster and 1 Connacht. No promotion and no relegation.

My guess at the teams would be Con & YM/Garryowen, Tarf, Lansdowne, Belvo, Marys/Terenure, Hinch/Ballymena and Wegians. Would cover largely the geographic areas already represented in 1A.

You could have it set up lots of different ways but I think 8 teams with no B&I and no relegation/promotion would suit the pro game best. Would focus talent better and increase exposure for those at academy level and late bloomers.

phog · 09-03-2016 1:05pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Just catching up on this and a lot going on with it. I'd imagine it would be simple enough, 8 teams 2 Munster (1 Limerick & 1 Cork), 4 Dublin, 1 Ulster and 1 Connacht. No promotion and no relegation.

My guess at the teams would be Con & YM/Garryowen, Tarf, Lansdowne, Belvo, Marys/Terenure, Hinch/Ballymena and Wegians. Would cover largely the geographic areas already represented in 1A.

Suggestion in the link above is two per province

Eight team league – 2 teams per province – Clontarf/UCD (Leinster), Young Munster/Cork Con (Munster) Ballynahinch/Ballymena (Ulster) and Galwegians/Buccaneers (Connacht)

You could have it set up lots of different ways but I think 8 teams with no B&I and no relegation/promotion would suit the pro game best. Would focus talent better and increase exposure for those at academy level and late bloomers

I think it's worth looking at, I know some people dislike change but the AIL currently is as good as dead, the proposal might add something to it and help in the development of academy players

Stainalert · 09-03-2016 1:11pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Just catching up on this and a lot going on with it. I'd imagine it would be simple enough, 8 teams 2 Munster (1 Limerick & 1 Cork), 4 Dublin, 1 Ulster and 1 Connacht. No promotion and no relegation.

My guess at the teams would be Con & YM/Garryowen, Tarf, Lansdowne, Belvo, Marys/Terenure, Hinch/Ballymena and Wegians. Would cover largely the geographic areas already represented in 1A.

You could have it set up lots of different ways but I think 8 teams with no B&I and no relegation/promotion would suit the pro game best. Would focus talent better and increase exposure for those at academy level and late bloomers.

I think the issue here is that it rips away at the individual identity of the clubs. If you have players effectively allocated to you by the province / IRFU whilst it ensures these players all get game time it doesn't really do a huge amount to encourage talent below that level. Where does the allocation stop? If Leinster don't like how one of their clubs play do they replace the coaching team there?

If teams are allocated as above and no relegation is permitted surely the provinces outside of Leinster would be up in the arms. Leinster clubs are strong at the moment but could well be different in 5 years time

Stainalert · 09-03-2016 1:14pm

phog wrote: »

Suggestion in the link above is two per province

I think it's worth looking at, I know some people dislike change but the AIL currently is as good as dead, the proposal might add something to it and help in the development of academy players

2 teams per province would be daft - As things currently stand that would reduce the quality of the league - I assume the purpose is the opposite.

10 teams would surely make more sense.

If the IRFU are looking at this structure is it to replace the B&I?

phog · 09-03-2016 1:20pm

Stainalert wrote: »

2 teams per province would be daft - As things currently stand that would reduce the quality of the league - I assume the purpose is the opposite.

10 teams would surely make more sense.

If the IRFU are looking at this structure is it to replace the B&I?

Maybe it is maybe it's not, at least look at it and get the best form the proposal.

Each province has an academy so you could spread the players across the two teams in each province. Maybe Leinster might require a 3rd or 4th team.

From the Indo.

Search is on to see if Ireland's got talent

The night we spoke, Nucifora was heading as part of an IRFU delegation to a meeting with the AIL clubs in Divisions 1A and 1B. There he would see first hand the stupefying level of ignorance that obtains in the union on the issue of how clubs are carrying out their business.

"We have to understand on the pro side of the game what it is the clubs require from the bottom end of the pro game, but also the clubs have to understand what it is these guys require from them to be able to bring the player through," Nucifora says.

"At the end of the day it's not about the province, not about the club, it's about what is best for the player. At the moment all I hear is whinging from both sides about what they do and what they don't do. It's a starting point to get some dialogue."

Thankfully Nucifora says that legislating against players playing in the AIL - the masterstroke introduced by the union this season - is for the birds. So please let it fly off somewhere else. Time and effort spent on perfecting a pathway for a country as small as ours is critical, and problematic. Some of it is straightforward though. Having a vibrant club game is the logical conclusion to filling in the gaps in the teenage years.

Stainalert · 09-03-2016 1:28pm

phog wrote: »

Maybe it is maybe it's not, at least look at it and get the best form the proposal.

Each province has an academy so you could spread the players across the two teams in each province. Maybe Leinster might require a 3rd or 4th team.

From the Indo.

Search is on to see if Ireland's got talent

I am not dismissing it but I think an 8 team league is too small and I don't really understand or believe that positive discrimination such as having 2 teams from the weaker provinces should be applied to a league when it would clearly weaken the league. Galwegians and Ballynahinch already have a proliferation of academy players from their respective provinces and are the sole representatives in 1A from their provinces yet they are both struggling. I really do think it will depend on whether the B&I continues to exist.

sfbdqc · 09-03-2016 1:40pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Just catching up on this and a lot going on with it. I'd imagine it would be simple enough, 8 teams 2 Munster (1 Limerick & 1 Cork), 4 Dublin, 1 Ulster and 1 Connacht. No promotion and no relegation.

My guess at the teams would be Con & YM/Garryowen, Tarf, Lansdowne, Belvo, Marys/Terenure, Hinch/Ballymena and Wegians. Would cover largely the geographic areas already represented in 1A.

You could have it set up lots of different ways but I think 8 teams with no B&I and no relegation/promotion would suit the pro game best. Would focus talent better and increase exposure for those at academy level and late bloomers.

UCD are certain to be in there.

Not sure how it would increase exposure for academy players.. it would essentially be the same as it is now, expect no B&I games, which would lessen exposure if anything.

Tarf1234 · 09-03-2016 2:07pm

phog wrote: »

Suggestion in the link above is two per province

I think it's worth looking at, I know some people dislike change but the AIL currently is as good as dead, the proposal might add something to it and help in the development of academy players

I don't think 2 per province makes any sense currently when the majority could be from Leinster next year and considering population base.

3,2,2,1 Lei, Mun, Uls and Con could work too. However, with a look at the current situation 4,2,1,1 would seem to make most sense.

I completely agree with your last point. I think we are almost past drifting into the irrelevant.

Tarf1234 · 09-03-2016 2:24pm

Stainalert wrote: »

I think the issue here is that it rips away at the individual identity of the clubs. If you have players effectively allocated to you by the province / IRFU whilst it ensures these players all get game time it doesn't really do a huge amount to encourage talent below that level. Where does the allocation stop? If Leinster don't like how one of their clubs play do they replace the coaching team there?

If teams are allocated as above and no relegation is permitted surely the provinces outside of Leinster would be up in the arms. Leinster clubs are strong at the moment but could well be different in 5 years time

I'm not really sure if it would. Realistically looking at the make up of AIL teams how many are truly from that club? I would imagine it would end up like the ITM cup if it went well. People would not necessarily be stuck in a Leinster or Munster club just because that is where they are in the pro set up.

I understand your last point which is why above I have said it could go 3,2,2,1 but I think even just from population/playing numbers reasons Leinster should have more teams. It is just simple logic.

Tarf1234 · 09-03-2016 2:26pm

sfbdqc wrote: »

UCD are certain to be in there.

Not sure how it would increase exposure for academy players.. it would essentially be the same as it is now, expect no B&I games, which would lessen exposure if anything.

Really would not be certain on UCD going into it.

Exposure to a better more consistent level. Sorry I should have been clearer.

sfbdqc · 09-03-2016 2:40pm

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Really would not be certain on UCD going into it.

Exposure to a better more consistent level. Sorry I should have been clearer.

Why? it's aimed at academy players, UCD have the majority and will continue to have the majority of them with Scholarships etc.

They play consistently in the AIL as is, bar injury, u20 or A team commitments. So they are exposed to that level consistently as well as being exposed to a higher level when playing A rugby.

Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

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