<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'> So that would be the HEC minus the French and the Italians? I don't see that working out at all. How about scrapping the EDF altogehter? [/b]
Welcome to the mindset held by the majority of English fans for the last 3 years. Most of us want our old FA Cup style competition back, but will we get it? I'm guessing not any time soon.
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Problem is, most fans wanted away with the old knockout as the clubs didnt' take it seriously enough.
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I think they all took it far more seriously than they do the Anglo-Welsh farce. I remember going to watch Saints in 3 Cup finals, and every time we took thousands upon thousands of supporters and always played a full strength team. The fact I also saw us lose all 3 of those finals is besides the point.
The old cup also used to throw up some classic matches between the professionals and part-timers of lower leagues. I remember Saints having to topple a plucky Orrell side 55-44 (or something similar), and I'm sure Birmingham fans still remember their victory over Wasps.
Basically, the competition had far more appeal surrounding it for fans than the system currently in place.
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Agree. the finals used to be abig deal, as did the semis, but it was still seen as a lesser competition (more of the carling cup than the FA to use a soccer analogy). The lower league matches were special: didn't pertemp bees beat wasps one year.
This could also add to the ND1 sides to experience premiership rugby. This year it would have been great to see Saints involved against Premiership sides, but more than that it could be a great way of bringing on strength in the ND1.
Not to be though. At least with the new cup we get to see fresh Welsh agony every year.