6 nations 22

wavehopper1

Spotted this elsewhere. GT outdoes himself. As long as the French don't get over...errm...

jacothelad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638563#Comment_118638563

So. They need a stiff drink then...

Clegg

Utterly disagree with this idea. Expand it to 7 Nations if you must. But don't throw a side out.

https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1494078475631792131?t=TUd3Ss9TXGsRasWDJbblAA&s=09

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118644175#Comment_118644175

If ever there as a case of lying down with dogs...I'd be amazed if fans travel to SA for matches and it really would leave a bad taste if Italy is thrown out to make way. Seriously bad news for the game in NZ/AUS too.

I guess this was part of CVC's strategy to make a buck by bringing in SA broadcasting.

pickarooney

So Italy are going to vote themselves out of a competition they part own, are they?

Bollocks.

Shehal

I still can't believe its been 6 years and people still go on about Italy being in the competition. We all know nothing is going to change so why people continue to yap on about it makes my head boggle.

hold my beer

Yeah it's annoying alright. Italy are here to stay, and rightly so.

Cosmo Kramer

Do Italy have a veto as part of their share in the tournament? Or can they be voted out by the others? I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the Saffers chances of getting in, they're in the URC, soon the European Cup, it's inevitable that they'll join the 6N in time.

The more relevant question is whether that will happen alongside Italy or in place of them. Is a 7 Nations tournament with extra rounds and bye weekends workable? If not the Italians could be in bother.

As for the impact on NZ etc., to be brutally honest about it, that's really not the European teams' or SA's problem. NZ will always produce great players, in future they may have to take a paycut or move abroad to play. So be it if they do.

EDIT: The suggestion seems to be that Italy's share as a stakeholder is only in place until 2024, so they would not have a vote on format or representation beyond that, hence SA's potential inclusion from 2025. There will be a lot of politics and PR at play for the next while on this, but to simply brush it off as "nothing is going to change" seems incredibly naive.

Dubinusa

I think they should keep Italy. They will be competitive soon enough, imo.

We weren't kicked out in the 90's. We were awful! Bring S.A in also, and Georgia.

Cosmo Kramer

We didn't go seven years without winning a game either though. Personally I'd like to both keep Italy and bring in SA. But you'd need two extra weekends to play the games so I don't know if it would be agreeable to the French and English clubs etc.

Definitely could see Italy getting bumped here. I think SA coming in is much more likely than not, it's whether it can be done in a way that accommodates everyone that is the problem.

AbusesToilets

From a purely financial aspect, the future potential of the Italian market would dwarf the SA one.

Pussyhands

Please no SA. 6N is a european tournament where all the countries have a history between them and are culturally and geographical proximity.

Crossing several time zones is a no go.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118649023#Comment_118649023

Crossing several time zones is a n go 

South Africa is only two hours ahead of us and only one ahead of Paris and Rome.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118649023#Comment_118649023

Where does it say that the 6Ns has to be a European tournament?

Shehal

https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1494638887658000410

The story on SA joining the 6n is of course as we all expected bollocks.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652544#Comment_118652544

Did we all think it was b*****s?

I think there is plenty of mileage to it.

In fact I think it's inevitable. Why would it be b******s? Their provincial teams play in the URC and from next season the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

The idea of SA joining the 6Ns is anything but b******s IMO.

Hopefully the b******s bit is about them replacing Italy.

Michael Zozimus Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652712#Comment_118652712

Provincial teams playing in a combined league doesn’t translate to their national team playing with us. A league needs a certain amount of teams to make it up. Several countries not having enough justifies an inter country league. Especially if the smaller countries don’t have the finances to keep the game pro with an internal national league.

I disagree completely with SA joining the 6 nations because it destroys the Championship which is required to keep all Southern Hemisphere nations competitive for world cups. It makes it non European which involves travel difficulties. If anything bring Argentina in to Spain as they have timezone complications with the Championship. SA should stay in the block internationally with NZ and Oz.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652784#Comment_118652784

But if SA don't want to do that then they can't be made to stay in the Rugby Championship. It's clear the time zone issue is a massive problem for them.

Not sure how you can say no to SA and yes to Argentina???

Michael Zozimus Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652812#Comment_118652812

Agree. Maybe SA moving base to Netherlands?

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118649280#Comment_118649280

It doesn't, but I would like it to stay as one. The proximity of the nations makes a big difference to the whole experience I think.

I just don't care about seeing South Africa play in it to be honest. Brings me no joy.

irelandrover

I'd say South Africa join eventually. Now their clubs lose players for a part of the season due to the misaligned club and international season. It puts them at a disadvantage.

It will also gives the opportunity to add in relegation and promotion by adding an eighth team.

OldRio

Replacing Italy with RSA was a kite flying exercise. South Africa will join a 7 nation competition. Cash is king. Money will decide.

Its more of a pity that the people who run rugby can't sort a proper calendar for the game.

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652712#Comment_118652712

Because financially it would destroy NZ and Aus. It would negatively impact Lions Tours. It would ultimately diminish the RWC product and devalue Autumn internationals and summer tours. There are far too many, World Rugby included. Who would be negatively impacted by this, to make it a viable runner.

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118654566#Comment_118654566

This is one of the more long term consequences of SA joining the 6N. Where does it put NZ/Aus? The game in Aus is already on its knees and this means the ABs will be hard pressed to find meaningful annual competition. That is bad news for rugby no matter where you're from.

Dubinusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655326#Comment_118655326

But who cares? Why would the 6nations worry about what happens in Oz or NZ

I doubt SA will be in the 6nations and I don't think Italy should be sacrificed to accommodate them. NZ and Oz should be fine regardless! There's other sides in the pacific who can play them!

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655616#Comment_118655616

As a fan of the game I'd be worried about relatively short term business imperatives undermining the structure of the sport. The ABs being in a competition they can't lose is not a good thing for the game.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655616#Comment_118655616

Because reducing even further the number of functional international teams available to play against will just kill the sport?

Dubinusa

England should beat Wales this week! I would think it will be fairly comfortable.

England 27 10 Wales

Scotland will look to rebound after stinking out the field last outing. Alas. It won't be enough.

Scotland 17 27 France

We should beat Italy. Comfortably.

Ireland 38 10 Italy.

Podge_irl

Not sure 38-10 is as comfortable as I would expect.

I half fancy Scotland to beat France...

Burkie1203

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118654566#Comment_118654566

If SA join the 6n then that should be the end of Lions tours there

Lions need to consider playing Argentina/PI teams as a tour in place of that