Sigh another typical Welsh and English argument leading to nowhere![]()
Its hard being a worcester fan
"The story so far:
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move"
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OK Cymro (think thats how you spell it) will do you a favour and leave. Dont like falling out with people but you obviously have problem and I have better things to do with my time.
Take care
Tallshort
Not a player but still loves his rugby!
Takes pictures of some of the teams too.
I'm interested in bulking up so I can start playing the game - pm me if you can help!
(Because I'm tiny!).
even if London Welsh were to go up, I feel sorry for them as they would have missed out on a month of time to prepare for the Premiership
Point 1 - These are not the regulations of the RFU, they are of the PGB, of which Championship clubs are a part, and indeed I believe London Welsh actually voted for the current regulations. The RFU is guilty of enough sins without blaming them for those of which they are not totally responsible.
The season Exeter went up they finished the season 26 points clear of London Welsh. The season before 28 points. The season before that by 46 points. London Welsh finished 14 points off the 1st spot this season and 14 points off 2nd the season before (Wuss were so far clear that there's no point comparing).
I fail to see any evidence there to suggest London Welsh are a better team than Exeter or other teams that have gone up. On the contrary, I see a great deal of evidence that says they are doing worse. Also, while I can't vow to it, it appears that Exeter didn't use any loan players that would need replacing in their promotion charge. Finally, Exeter have brought in players to strengthen the squad - not always with great effect, but they've played a part, and I don't think they'd be in the HEC without Mieres.
Now, Exeter, with an average crowd of over 8,000, no rent to pay and the supplementary income from owning their own stadium, can't/don't wish to afford to strengthen their squad up to the wage cap. How are London Welsh, with an average crowd of just over 1,000, rent to pay and no such complementary income meant to find the money to seriously strengthen their squad? I don't know what London Welsh's turnover is - although I am led to believe they already operate at a loss - but suspect it falls short of the 7.4m that is the rough average figure for turnover amongst the Premiership clubs outside the top 4 (would be higher with them included). So unless LW have a LOT of backing from somewhere, I suspect they will be a way under the wage cap.
Looking at the objective stats, there is strong reason imo to believe London Welsh may well struggle next season.
That's the system in general though, even if everything had gone smoothly for them theyd still have less preparation in terms of signings.
I think what some teams do is have a contract drawn up with players and only if/when promotion happens then its signed.
I meant that LW side of 2011-2012 is better than the Exeter side of 2009-2010.
And you don't have to break the bank for quality. When we signed players from that league, Lee Robinson, Dan Ward-Smith, Shaun Perry etc they weren't expensive signings but they proved worth is and their value went up from there.
Most sides struggle in their 1st season up, nobody is suggesting that LW will go HC in their first season. We are saying they should be allowed to at least try.
Last edited by TRF_SelimNiai; 08-06-12 at 08:25 PM.
"The story so far:
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move"
2010's Most Underrated
2012's Best Signature
I do not watch the championship regularly, so I must confine myself to looking at the table - London Welsh's position in the league tables has stayed consistently below the levels that Exeter have achieved. And yes, you can get good signings on the cheap. Generally though, you get what you pay for. And, of course, the pool of quality available has been diminished by all this bollocks anyway.
I believe that as a general rule of thumb that, yes, the promoted team should have their go. I believe that the current rules are mildly ridiculous. However, as everybody knew them, I don't have a great deal of sympathy for clubs that fall foul of them.
yes but they are losing more and more time, those players will be taken by other clubs the longer it goes
I doubt Exeter paid too much for Igancio Mieres or Sireli Naqelevuki given their little reputations when signed, or Bordeaux (the lowest budget Top 14 team who finished 8) had paid too much Blair Connor, Heini Adams, Ole Avei or Matthew Clarkin who have been their top players this season
Lyon on the otherhand got some more well known internationals like Koyamaibole, Januarie, Leguizamon, van Gisbergen (who has been woeful) who couldn't keep them up
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18504308
The appeal has been put back, maybe I'm being cynical but that says to me that the decision has already been made in Newcastle's favour 'cos if on the 28th LW are allowed to go up that only gives them 8 weeks or so to fully prepare and recruit for a Premiership season.
"The story so far:
In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move"
2010's Most Underrated
2012's Best Signature
Even if it goes for them at this stage they're going to be in a lot of trouble next season. Considering the limited time at their disposal, they're really going to struggle in my opinion.
Ya they will but, it's the principle of the thing. If Welsh win the appeal then the evil RFU/Premier Rugby (whoever it is) will be defeated. And even if they do go straight back down they'll know they'll be allowed go back up without any hassle.Even if it goes for them at this stage they're going to be in a lot of trouble next season. Considering the limited time at their disposal, they're really going to struggle in my opinion.
No announcement yet but rumours are they've done it....
Not quite the same Rob although I see your point, Ex had been building for donkeys years and were unfortunate to have Quins, Saints and Leeds all go down when they were about to make the leap - all 3 of whom won major trophies in the interim and even then were littered with big-names and world-cup winners.
Welsh have come good this year, but they're by no means as strong compared to the Exeter side who nearly matched their biggest ND1 rivals.
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