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<blockquote data-quote="snoopy snoopy dog dog" data-source="post: 158190"><p>I stand corrected.</p><p></p><p> </p><p>That's what I'm talking about when I spoke of triumphalism. O'Gara made self congratulatory comments which came back to bite him in the rear end. He choked when it really mattered (the World Cup) like he has done in the past (the 2000 Heineken Cup final). The England team are to be commended for the way they fought back in the World Cup from what seemed like a potential early exit. In my opinion it was down to individual talent which most, including myself, thought they were lacking in at this point in time. I don't think playing teams like Worcester and Northampton who were involved in relegation dogfights was the key to Englands resurrection, rather fighting for spots in the Heineken Cup (the major advantage the GP has over the ML) geared the players in cup rugby.</p><p></p><p> </p><p>Which is the fault of the IRFU and Eddie O'Sullivan rather than the provincial coaches. It's O'Sullivan who demands that players don't play in the competition while the coaches are left with no option but to comply.</p><p></p><p>If the clubs are underfunded, how does it explain Welsh and Irish teams being able to keep virtually all their star players (unlike the Sanzar nations) while also being able to attract top players from abroad like Felipe Contepomi, Doug Howlett, Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, Lome Fa'atau, Regan King and Justin Harrison? Ambitious teams like Leinster, Ulster, Munster, Ospreys, Llanelli and Cardiff Blues are flourishing despite an inadequate system. </p><p></p><p>The Magners League as is presently constituted is flawed; of that I'm not going to argue. There seems to be no appetite for professional rugby in Scotland, the IRFU treat is as a series of trial matches before the Heineken Cup and the Welsh want to hop into bed with the English clubs at any given opportunity. Which is why I'm in agreement that the Magners League isn't a competitive league. It only interests those clubs who have a chance to challenge for the ***le. It's a decent league but until it's taken seriously by all Unions (by way of proper competition for European places) it won't compete with the Premiership in terms of revenue generated or successful club teams.</p><p></p><p>All of which is probably an issue for another thread rather than focusing on the merits of a British Isles League, which could make financial sense (although that would be to the detriment of the Heineken Cup in its current format).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="snoopy snoopy dog dog, post: 158190"] I stand corrected. That's what I'm talking about when I spoke of triumphalism. O'Gara made self congratulatory comments which came back to bite him in the rear end. He choked when it really mattered (the World Cup) like he has done in the past (the 2000 Heineken Cup final). The England team are to be commended for the way they fought back in the World Cup from what seemed like a potential early exit. In my opinion it was down to individual talent which most, including myself, thought they were lacking in at this point in time. I don't think playing teams like Worcester and Northampton who were involved in relegation dogfights was the key to Englands resurrection, rather fighting for spots in the Heineken Cup (the major advantage the GP has over the ML) geared the players in cup rugby. Which is the fault of the IRFU and Eddie O'Sullivan rather than the provincial coaches. It's O'Sullivan who demands that players don't play in the competition while the coaches are left with no option but to comply. If the clubs are underfunded, how does it explain Welsh and Irish teams being able to keep virtually all their star players (unlike the Sanzar nations) while also being able to attract top players from abroad like Felipe Contepomi, Doug Howlett, Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, Lome Fa'atau, Regan King and Justin Harrison? Ambitious teams like Leinster, Ulster, Munster, Ospreys, Llanelli and Cardiff Blues are flourishing despite an inadequate system. The Magners League as is presently constituted is flawed; of that I'm not going to argue. There seems to be no appetite for professional rugby in Scotland, the IRFU treat is as a series of trial matches before the Heineken Cup and the Welsh want to hop into bed with the English clubs at any given opportunity. Which is why I'm in agreement that the Magners League isn't a competitive league. It only interests those clubs who have a chance to challenge for the ***le. It's a decent league but until it's taken seriously by all Unions (by way of proper competition for European places) it won't compete with the Premiership in terms of revenue generated or successful club teams. All of which is probably an issue for another thread rather than focusing on the merits of a British Isles League, which could make financial sense (although that would be to the detriment of the Heineken Cup in its current format). [/QUOTE]
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