General Rugby Discussion

Steve Lansdowne. He's another Bruce Craig - worth £1.4 billion!

Morf wrote: »

Is he interested in sponsoring an Irish sports stadium?

I think his name is actually Lansdown, but it would be quite funny if he bought the RDS's rights...

a bad post was here

total former wrote: »

Do people know that you can just delete posts?

I do now

Frank Halai to Wasps, I was just thinking they were short of hard running high scoring wingers...

Shout-out to knockon.ie for doing a podcast for the Towns Cup of all things! Fair play, a good listen for anyone with any interest in the competition:

http://www.knockon.ie/2015/01/28/podcast-towns-cup-ep-2/

Steffan Armitage and Chiocci have been arrested in connection with an assault.

Armitage has been held and a decision will be made later today on whether to release him. He claims to have no memory of the incident.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Geoff Parling has signed for Exeter. Bit of a strange move no?

One of Englands smartest players moving to one of England's smartest and most well managed clubs. I am a big fan of Geoff Parling, Rob Baxter and Exeter Chiefs. Him and Munn will be an epic team.

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/free-to-air-six-nations-tv-rights-1909024-Jan2015

May not be FTA after 2017

And so it begins again!

Can't find the link online but I read something on Facebook yesterday that John Feehan was saying that the Six Nations may move to Pay TV from 2018 on. The BBC are currently paying £160m over 4 years for the rights, given the squeeze on them (and I assume RTE) they could be susceptible next time round.

Given the battle between Sky and BT it's not beyond the realms of possiblity that one or other or both could come up with an offer that is too good to say no to.

I should say that the Six Nations isn't on the main protected events list in the UK so maybe it's different in the Republic? Maybe this won't be an issue outside in Ireland?

Edit - ah feck I spend 5 mins typing that out amd someone just posts a feckin link!

Brendon Leonard to Ospreys confirmed, three year deal.

I posted this earlier today. Hope re-posting here doesn't count as spamming.

Charity Challenge Proposal for the Ulster Bank League

Background
This proposal is grounded in the desire to raise money for IRFU Charitable Trust and increase the coverage and popularity of rugby, the ulster bank league, teams and sponsors. The format for this proposal is based on a successful format that has run for over 111 years and raises gate attendances by over 50% (See Appendix 1).

Charity Challenge Format
I propose that a Charity Challenge Trophy is commissioned. This Charity Challenge Trophy is initially awarded to the winner of the league (Lansdowne is used in example below). The Charity Challenge Trophy competition is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition. The holding club must defend the Charity Challenge Trophy in challenge matches. All home games are mandatory Charity Challenge Trophy matches, with the exception of knockout matches (for example a home based semi-final or home based final). A challenging team must win the match. A draw means the holding team keeps the trophy. Note: The competition for the Charity Challenge Trophy does not require any extra games but relies on existing games within any given league. The Charity Challenge Trophy is based on the Ranfurly Shield in New Zealand Rugby and the Ranfurly Shield has being running since 1904.

Charity Challenge Trophy Sponsorship
I propose that the sponsorship/naming rights for the Charity Challenge Trophy are sold. I suggest that this be on an annual basis. All the funds raised by this sale are to go to the IRFU Charitable Trust. I suggest that the decision on whom these naming rights/ sponsorship are sold to are based on the agreement of the following stakeholders
• The sponsor of the National League.
• The IRFU
A clear procedure as to how sponsors are chosen must be decided by the IRFU and reviewed on a regular basis. The existing sponsors for the competition must have a right to veto any bidding businesses that compete with them. The IRFU must also have the right to veto any bidding business.

Appeal
Appendix 2 shows the match results for last season if Lansdowne had being the initial recipient (as winners of the league). As the matches and history develop, I have no doubt that this Charity Challenge Trophy will become as popular in Ireland, as the Ranfurly Shield is in New Zealand. The top teams want to have an unbroken run and the bottom teams just want to win it. For teams outside of the playoffs, it becomes vitally important.

Summary
I consider this proposal to be a partnership between sports and charity.
1. The IRFU and holding club receive the extra revenue from increased attendances.
2. Charity receives the sponsorship money.
3. Businesses have an opportunity to give money to charity and use sports advertising.
4. All parties have their profiles and reputations enhanced.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I have listed further points which may be of interest in the Appendices. They consist of the following.
1. My research.
2. Last Season Example.

Appendices.
Appendix 1
I contacted the last 7 holders of the Ranfurly Shield over the last 5 years, to provide the percentage increase in attendance figures. (Challenge matches versus non-challenge home matches). The following figures were supplied.
1. Canterbury 40 to 45%.
2. Southland 56%.
3. Taranaki rose from a base of between 5000 to 6000 to a minimum of 10,000 and a maximum of 19,000.
4. Waikato estimated the increase to be 100%.
5. Otago 267%. (Otago had not won the Ranfurly Shield for 56 years).
6. Hawkes Bay 57%.
7. Current Holder Counties did not reply and have never held the Ranfurly Shield before.

Historically 309 of the 652 defences are from 2 teams (Canterbury and Auckland). An estimate of a 50% rise in attendance figures is realistic. The weighted average over the 21 games examined is actually over 90%.

Appendix 2
2013 -2014 Ulster Bank League example is shown below. Lansdowne were the initial holders as they were the league champions in the previous season

Date Home Score Away Venue
Sat 28th Sep 13 Lansdowne 14 - 27 UCD Aviva Stadium
Sat 5th Oct 13 UCD 33 - 26 Old Belvedere Belfield
Sat 2nd Nov 13 UCD 22 to 7 Dolphin Belfield
Fri 22nd Nov 13 UCD 16 - 18 St. Mary's College Belfield
Sat 30th Nov 13 St. Mary's College 24 - 27 Old Belvedere Templeville Road
Sat 7th Dec 13 Old Belvedere 15 to 5 Garryowen Anglesea Road
Sat 25th Jan 14 Old Belvedere 22 - 22 St. Mary's College Anglesea Road
Fri 31st Jan 14 Old Belvedere 19 - 13 Lansdowne Anglesea Road
Sat 15th Mar 14 Old Belvedere 34 - 12 Young Munster Anglesea Road
Sat 22nd Mar 14 Old Belvedere 19 to 8 UCD Anglesea Road
Sat 12th Apr 14 Old Belvedere 21 - 15 Dolphin Anglesea Road

Whetu wrote: »

I posted this earlier today. Hope re-posting here doesn't count as spamming.

Charity Challenge Proposal for the Ulster Bank League

......

This is an outstanding idea. Would be a great way to increase interest in the club game.
I love the Ranfurly Shield. I believe its a bigger deal than winning the NPC back in NZ and I know a lot of fans feel that way.

I mentioned in another thread that they could do something similar with the old inter-pro trophy.