Rugby breakaway league coming. (R360)

[Which Tyler]

'England stars Fin Smith, Tom Willis and George Martin are among those whose club deals expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

So too are Wales aces Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.

R360 is also understood to be looking at more senior England stars including George Ford, Jamie George and Henry Slade.'

Wow, someone knows when some players' contracts end - shocking. There's not even an implication that they're interested in R360, just a note that they're out of contract next summer.

Also, once again, claiming that a pre-contract agreement is the same as an actual, full contract.

This is mostly death throes, and desperation to stay relevant and talked about. Article is available here: https://archive.ph/T1V6T

 

[Which Tyler]

You're getting desperate now.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Rinkadink]

How is this good for the game? Maybe for Tindall's pockets?

@Rugbyfan564 what happens to the premiership clubs, for example?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

How is this good for the game? Maybe for Tindall's pockets?

@Rugbyfan564 what happens to the premiership clubs, for example?

Unfortunately if it happens they might go bankrupt.

Scottish Rugby might not be too happy having his mother in law as their patron if things really get ugly.

 

[mdaclarke]

Unfortunately if it happens they might go bankrupt.

Scottish Rugby might not be too happy having his mother in law as their patron if things really get ugly.

There is more chance of me shacking up with Sydney Sweeney than there is of R360 being a success.

 

[Saintjay]

Unfortunately if it happens they might go bankrupt.

Scottish Rugby might not be too happy having his mother in law as their patron if things really get ugly.

I'm sure it'll be fine. I've yet to hear any Saints fans creaming themselves at seeing the London Monarchs mk2.

 

[Which Tyler]

I'm sure it'll be fine. I've yet to hear any rugby fans creaming themselves at seeing the London Monarchs mk2.

FTFY

 

[TommiG88]

You're getting desperate now.

It’s a ridiculous headline to an article, and it’s the mail so I sadly can’t click on it.

But the quote gets me thinking… Ah yes, the old muscle mass being the core skill of being a rugby player…..

Tell me you know nothing about rugby without telling me.

 

[mdaclarke]

One thing I would add is what people seem to forget about the middle-east countries is that their sports washing is aimed at keeping their young restless population occupied, not about improving their image worldwide. They have no democracy, so the rulers are keen on giving them loads of entertainment, so they don't end up like the Romanovs in 1917.

If there was Saudi/middle east money involved then it would not be a globe trotting organisation instead the teams would be the

Jeddah oilers,
Riyadh Oilers
Medina Oilers
Doha Oilers
Dubai Oilers
Abu Dhabi Oilers
Muscat Oilers
Manama Oilers

 

[McTallshort]

Sorry if there is already a thread on this but it doesn't seem to be going away. What are people's thoughts on this?

 

[Geordie]

English rugby having a vote soon to suspend relegation and alllow promotion still for 5 years and create a franchise league....

 

[Which Tyler]

If that happens, with a definite end-point, and no possibility of extending... I will be very unhappy and my interest will reduce. I suspect I'll grind my teeth and watch anyway, but also suspect that rugby will drop down my list of priorities for a Saturday afternoon.
If that happens, without a definite end-point, and the distinct possibility of extending... I will be supporting Clermont and Nevers in France.

The principle of meritocracy in sport is one I feel very strongly about.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No relegation doesn't mean no promotion right though?
Suspect the league still wants to go back up to 12 teams and prob view it easier to let teams up (Like Worcester) without kicking teams down.

The champ in general needs to be addressed personally the only way I could see the champ getting better is if we join with the WRU and add the welsh clubs to it.

 

[Geordie]

No relegation doesn't mean no promotion right though?
Suspect the league still wants to go back up to 12 teams and prob view it easier to let teams up (Like Worcester) without kicking teams down.

The champ in general needs to be addressed personally the only way I could see the champ getting better is if we join with the WRU and add the welsh clubs to it.

Yes the suggestion is relegation is postponed but promotion is allowed. As you say to bring the numbers back up to the teams they want. But i gather theres an issue that the TV rights or the media only want 10 teams. I dont know the full info on that part so need to check if thats correct or not.

 

[Geordie]

Ah apparently the TV companies don't want Prem games on the same weekends as international matches, and the only way to achieve that is by having ten clubs in the prem.

 

[Which Tyler]

I've long supported the idea of a 10-team Prem; but WITH a proper PRC-type competition (with no 1st-team regulars for the Prem sides), regular promotion and relegation, and TV deal and promotion for the Champ - as part of a joined-up-thinking pyramid for professional rugby.
Which requires PRL to cease their 20-year war on the Champ.

So that's just not going to happen. PRL seem incapable of even considering the idea of "co-operating with allies".

If that's the case, then the Prem needs to be bigger than 10

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Prem Rugby confident in plan to stop defections to R360

Chief executive says franchising and expansion alongside Red Bull’s investment in Newcastle can restore confidence and fend off competition from rebel league

www.thetimes.com

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why would franchising stop it? Just let it **** itself

I really struggle to see this franchise hard on tbh

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The interesting bit is going to be what influence Red Bull has. Yes there’s a salary cap, but there are plenty of other ways to make financial muscle count.

If they’re successful, will other blue chips dive in? HSBC Harlequins, NatWest Northampton? Will we see the end of local sponsors like Gloucester’s Bigdug who turnover £40m vs RB’s global £11bn? If big ticket sponsors abound will the salary cap be raised?