Would You Support An Irish Rugby League Team in the English Championship?

toomevara

I realise its a rugby union forum but as some of you may be aware, following Ireland's good showing in last years RLWC, Rugby League Ireland are seriously considering making a bid to establish an Irish based team in the English RL championship (a step below the Super League).

Just wanted to gauge how many union fans contributing here would give it a punt/the time of day if an Irish based team were in the mix....

beezer84

I would definitely look at supporting it. However I thought that no news team will be entering in the next 3 years, not even through relegation / promotion! It would be great to get it going, maybe doing a millenium magic type thing in Lansdowne next year would be a good gauge of how popular it would become. It certainly took off in Catalan and I hope the Crusaders pick their form up a bit. If they dont it could die there.

Serenity Now!

I only follow NRL or international RL. I've been bleating on about how RU here should limit its imported players given that there only four professional teams here on this island. Supporting a RL team full of Aussies, Kiwis, Islanders and English players wouldn't really cut it for me. All the Aussies I want to support are either playing NRL, (my own/old club is actually in the NSW Cup) or retired.

So, nope.

puntosporting

Have not been a fan of League for years now having said that an Irish interest would get me watching just to see how they get on id deffo support them!

toomevara

beezer84 wrote: »

I would definitely look at supporting it. However I thought that no news team will be entering in the next 3 years,.

Thats the Super League Beezer, the c'ship's not ring fenced so no issue there...I guess the ideal (if, admittedly unlikely, scenario would be a couple of seasons in the c'ship and then into the SL)...

Serenity Now! wrote:

Supporting a RL team full of Aussies, Kiwis, Islanders and English players wouldn't really cut it for me.

Totally agree, Its one aspect of the SL I absolutely hate. Teams like Leeds are beginning to move away from it now, with the vast majority of their 1st squad local lads (10 of the 1st XIII at last count!). Obviously, initially they'd compose a fair part of the squad, but I'd hope local talent would be encouraged and brought through...Would definitely be the case if Andy Kelly is the man at the helm!

mikedragon32

Would certainly be along to see a few games, not overly bothered about the mix of locals/foreigners in the team in the short term either, it has to be good for the national game in the long run.

themont85

Its a no from me. There's too many sports here already fighting for fans. The LoI can barely get crowds as it is(i know there's other reasons behind that which the SL doesn't have but its soccer and it still can't get the crowds).

There is not enough interest for it here. The sport has a very low profile.

RL should concentrate on improving its base in England first imo.

ScholesyIsGod

I dont think that a League side would have any real following, i think it would be a bit of a novelty at first and might draw some interest but in the long run i dont think it would work. I mean Ireland won one game in the World Cup thats hardly enough to call for a professional club side imo.

anonymous_joe

I think it'd be the only way for rugby league to get a following here, but I don't think that's possible.

Long story short, we've Gah (both forms) for the country and a lot of Dubliners, we've football for everyone, if a little less popular in the country, and then rugby has a largely upper-middle-class (whatever you want to call it) following (obligatory, except for our brave working-class boyos from Limerick).

I just don't see where there'd be room for league. It's not like many (do any?) schools play league, so I don't know where you'd find hte player-base.

Serenity Now!

toomevara wrote: »

Totally agree, Its one aspect of the SL I absolutely hate. Teams like Leeds are beginning to move away from it now, with the vast majority of their 1st squad local lads (10 of the 1st XIII at last count!). Obviously, initially they'd compose a fair part of the squad, but I'd hope local talent would be encouraged and brought through...Would definitely be the case if Andy Kelly is the man at the helm!

I go to as many Ireland games as I can. Couldn't give a rats about a British RL franchise really.

Micky Dolenz

Nah, lets try and keep our future great rugby players for union. we already have too many sports and not enough greats to go around.

corny

I don't think it would work because the new franchise would have to be instantly successful to draw the crowds (lets face it the Irish are glory hunters not hardcore fans).

toomevara

Things continue to move along apace......

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0227/1224241893111.html

Snippet From the above article,

It is believed that in addition to Limerick FC, a new rugby league club, Limerick Flame, which plans to enter a team in the British based Championship in 2010 is anxious to play out of a revamped stadium while the Munster Branch of the IRFU and local GAA authorities have apparently expressed enthusiasm for the idea of a 5,000 to 7,000 seat venue so close to the centre of the city.

Not sure about the name, but RL in Limerick, sign me up...means Oval ball all year round...

Amazotheamazing

toomevara wrote: »

Things continue to move along apace......

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0227/1224241893111.html

Snippet From the above article,

It is believed that in addition to Limerick FC, a new rugby league club, Limerick Flame, which plans to enter a team in the British based Championship in 2010 is anxious to play out of a revamped stadium while the Munster Branch of the IRFU and local GAA authorities have apparently expressed enthusiasm for the idea of a 5,000 to 7,000 seat venue so close to the centre of the city.

Not sure about the name, but RL in Limerick, sign me up...means Oval ball all year round...

What about the Treaty City Titans? Probably the strongest league team in Ireland over the past few years.

pucan

Serenity Now! wrote: »

All the Aussies I want to support are either playing NRL, (my own/old club is actually in the NSW Cup) or retired.

Who is your team, been following Newtown for a couple of years

RichTea

I'd be interested alright. Sounds like a good idea. Not sure about the prospects of it, with it being based in Limerick instead of Dublin. Surely it would make more sense to go to the bigger market no?