General Rugby Discussion 3

He might be sacked before rwc2027 too

RFU were afraid to take Nigel Wray on legally so they came to an agreeable compromise, demotion, Sarries kept all their titles and rewrote employment agreements.

Wray has the goods on and support of all Premiership clubs and co-ownership of residential properties continues on and has not been wound down, Wray has retired from day to day stuff but remains a powerful figure behind the scenes and leader of club owners.

10 to begin with going up to 12 in 2029.

The last two might be traditional clubs but rumours are they hope the bidding will bring big money new franchises. Birmingham FCs new Yank owners are apparently mulling the idea of a Birmingham club.

With any luck they also expand the name of the league in time by adding ier.

Except the English won't. Why would they take on that sht show to add to their own problems. The Welsh don't really bring any marquee players or big crowds to the table.

I think we will see a reverse of rugby leagues attempts to have a London team and try hard to get 2 teams set up in the big Midlands or Northern urban centres.

It would be much better if teams could just prove they have the ability to increase capacity. Big difference between a landlocked 5000 capacity stadium and one where you can pop up a few new stands if demand grows.

Quality should matter far more than capacity when it comes to wanting to grow from a small fanbase.

Luton was a throwback novelty something as big as the Premier League could afford.

When similar teams got promoted in Serie A a few years back big team owners lost their sht because it made the league look amateur. And that's the angle English rugby is coming from. They want the infrastructure to look big and shiny for the TVs and Google. They want the online brochure to show pictures of 12 Thomond Parks or Ravenhills not 12 Pairc Ui Rinns or Tolka Parks.

I don't think it's gonna work the same way I think almost any other attempt at chasing the money in rugby hasn't worked.