A hypothetical

P_1

Inspired by a chat with my Dad (a Mayo and Connacht man by all accounts) this evening I came across the following scenario.

What would be the reaction of the IRFU if Connacht were to finish ahead of one of the big two (Leinster and Munster) in this season's Magners League and thus qualify for next season's Heineken Cup at their expense?

My Dad is of the opinion that the IRFU would simply disband Connacht to avoid this potential embarrassment but he is quite the cynic. Personally I can see IRFU referees officiating in Connacht matches from Easter onwards.

What think ye, oh rugby forum?

Mods, feel free to delete this if ye feel that it is the delusional ramblings of a drunk...

toomevara

pithater1 wrote: »

Mods, feel free to delete this if ye feel that it is the delusional ramblings of a drunk...

You kiddin' me? We start deleting that and pretty soon the RF will grind to a halt...;)

lologram

Gerry Thornley was saying that apparently the threat of disbandment is pretty much over. What's gonna happen though is that the IRFU are going to start micro-managing the business side of things out west. Remains to be seen what that will involve, but it's better than Connacht being axed.

I know it's a hypothetical, but Connacht still are very unlikely to finish ahead of Munster/Leinster. I do get the feeling there will be quite a few teams that Connacht will finish ahead of though

B0X

They won't care as long as they can bring paying fans with them, which i presume beating Leinster and Munster would bring. Once Connacht isn't losing them money they'll leave them well alone.

durkadurka

Jaysus, one away win in Glagow and you're deposing Munster and Leinster!

TheTMO

durkadurka wrote: »

Jaysus, one away win in Glagow and you're deposing Munster and Leinster!

Exactly what I was thinking!

pappyodaniel

Conspiracy theory or what!

No chance, and anyways I wouldn't be getting too carried away with Connacht's recent spell of top form. Give it another 3 games to gauge whether or not this team is capable of leap-frogging one of the other provinces.

I'm seriously heartened by Connacht's form so far, with the likes of Cronin, Carr and Keatley who could otherwise just be squad members at their respective provinces.

But I'm not gonna go getting notions that they'll oust the big guns of Irish rugby, one things for definite, Munster and Leinster will no longer take Connacht for granted.

boredatwork82

If Connacht finish above Leinster and Munster the IRFU will cut their budget as obviously they have too much resources!

profitius

If they finished ahead of one of the big teams it would be impossible for the IRFU to do anything except give them more funding.