Amlin Cup 2012/13: Pool Three, Round One

[Draggs]

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Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne (12/10/2012, 17:30 GMT)

Adams Park Wycombe (13/10/2012, 19:10 GMT)
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[Draggs]

Bayonne 71 - 7 Mogliano, Fulltime.

 

[psychic duck]

Bayonne 71 - 7 Mogliano, Fulltime.

Italian sides out. Georgian/Russian/Romanian champions in immediately.

Even Rokocoko (who still hasn't scored a try in the Top 14) can score against them.They also get pathetic crowds at their matches.

Having these Italian teams in the tournament is essentially like having Principality Premiership, AIB League or Scottish Premiership sides in the tournament. Italy basically have a system like Scotland now, with two professional teams and a semi-pro league, but they keep their sides in the Amlin just because they've always been there. Nobody suggest that Scottish Premiership sides should play in the Amlin, neither should the Italian league sides. They can go off an play British & Irish Cup imo.

 

[welshglory]

Italian sides out. Georgian/Russian/Romanian champions in immediately.

Even Rokocoko (who still hasn't scored a try in the Top 14) can score against them.They also get pathetic crowds at their matches.

Having these Italian teams in the tournament is essentially like having Principality Premiership, AIB League or Scottish Premiership sides in the tournament. Italy basically have a system like Scotland now, with two professional teams and a semi-pro league, but they keep their sides in the Amlin just because they've always been there. Nobody suggest that Scottish Premiership sides should play in the Amlin, neither should the Italian league sides. They can go off an play British & Irish Cup imo.

To be fair i think the reason why they're keeping the Italian club sides in is because the Italians aren't in the Pro 12 for the long run. The plan is to get them up to standard and start developing better pathways for youngsters coming through. Then if (a big if) rugby catches on there they will return to a fully pro domestic league.

There's a lot more potential in Italian club rugby than Wales, Ireland Scotland combined.