Treviso quit PRO12

[Gavin]

Italian side Treviso dropped a huge bombshell on Monday with the news that they will leave the PRO12 at the end of the season.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9160272,00.html

An official club statement confirmed the option to leave was taken "in light of the international situation that further prolongs a decision" regarding European cross-border rugby and its future, and the club also list "the absence of certainty about the future forms of organization, participation and regulations relating to the RaboDirect PRO12 league" as further rationale behind their exit.
The upshot of this is that Treviso's involvement with the PRO12 will come to an end on the 30th June 2014; the conclusion of their participation agreement penned in 2009.
The future of Italian rugby remains unclear. FIR President Alfredo Gavazzi has declared plans for a nationwide, eight-team domestic league in a bit to make Italy more competitive on the international stage.
While Irish site The Score reports that Gavazzi's plans include academy setups for all participating teams, it raises questions of the short-term issues facing Italy. If Treviso, Zebre and their ilk are to stop playing against the stronger PRO12 outfits, their many Italian internationals may fall foul of a lack of regular competition.
Treviso's missive cautiously backs the FIR's proposals, though it admits the club will need to scrutinise them further and in greater detail before committing fully; stating that they are "willing to consider, and possibly participate in any competition and/or challenge that the FIR intends to promote."

 

[McTallshort]

Looks like the Pro 12 is finished then.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Looks like the Pro 12 is finished then.

It doesn't look good but this could be a negotiating position with regards to not paying a participation fee and forcing the European issue to be resolved. Another way of looking at is that if Treviso and possibly Zebre pull out of the league it reduces the number of fixtures by four and thus improves the strength of the other teams every week i.e. there's less rotation.

 

[McTallshort]

Yes as long as the Welsh stop...

 

[Amiga500]

Looks like the Pro 12 is finished then.

Well... it'll certainly not be the Pro12 anymore*.

Maybe the Pro10.


There will be Welsh teams in the Celtic league next year. Of that, there is (virtually) no doubt. As to who those Welsh teams will be....



*unless, as already stated, its a negotiating ploy.

 

[Big Ewis]

wtf...

 

[Peat]

So... they're leaving the Pro 12, but haven't committed to the FIR's competition? Pretty weird. Not sure what to make of that.

We really need a HEC substitute pretty quick.

 

[j'nuh]

It doesn't look good but this could be a negotiating position with regards to not paying a participation fee and forcing the European issue to be resolved. Another way of looking at is that if Treviso and possibly Zebre pull out of the league it reduces the number of fixtures by four and thus improves the strength of the other teams every week i.e. there's less rotation.

It also means two fewer home fixtures per club, and four fewer televised rounds. Which probably amounts to a lot of money in the context of how the other nations are struggling financially.

 

[munstermuffin]

It also means two fewer home fixtures per club, and four fewer televised rounds. Which probably amounts to a lot of money in the context of how the other nations are struggling financially.

If you noticed in Pro12 it's very rare they televise any game from Italy.
On flip side it lessens Italians HEC quota too and additionally in my eyes opens up possibly welcoming alternatives

 

[Peat]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/italian-side-treviso-prepared-quit-6692617

"TREVISO will pull out of the RaboDirect Pro12 at the end of the season if ordered by the Italian Rugby Federation as a peace deal to save the Heineken Cup looks set to be struck.

Confusion reigned as initial reports claiming Italy's leading franchise, who finished above the Dragons and Blues in last season's table, would definitely withdraw when the contract which brought them in runs out at the end of the campaign.

But a statement released by Treviso confirmed it would go along with whatever decision its union takes."

...

"That means only seven RaboDirect Pro12 teams, the top finisher from each of its four countries – Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland – and the three other highest finishers would qualify for next season's competition.

If it was based on the current table, leaders Munster, fourth-placed Ospreys, fifth-placed Glasgow and ninth-placed Treviso would be assured of spots based on the new qualification criteria.

The three meritocracy places would go to second-placed Leinster, third-placed Ulster and the sixth-placed Scarlets."

 

[ratsapprentice]

That is an eminently sensible qualification system with regards to the requirement for both meritocracy and the greater health of the game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm not saying I'm great, but I've been saying that should be the qualification system for ages now.

 

[LittleGuy]

So... they're leaving the Pro 12, but haven't committed to the FIR's competition? Pretty weird. Not sure what to make of that.

We really need a HEC substitute pretty quick.

When they previously threatened to pull out, the Italians stated they were going to focus on strengthening their own domestic competition with the freed up funds that will come from no longer being in the Pro12.

 

[Draggs]

How dare they?!?
Where is my pitchfork?

 

[Peat]

When they previously threatened to pull out, the Italians stated they were going to focus on strengthening their own domestic competition with the freed up funds that will come from no longer being in the Pro12.

Yeah, I know, but the original report said they hadn't committed an Italian domestic competition either. That's what made me think it was weird - the report seemed to be saying "We're not going to play in anything next year".

The supposed update clears things up pretty nicely tbh.

 

[MLB3BB2]

I think consolidation of the three Celtic nations in the Pro12 with the Aviva Premiership is the way to go. The English want to add the Welsh anyway... integration of the four nations and splitting into two tiers (with promotion/relegation) would give HC-like fixtures every week in the top tier and would expand the TV markets all around.

 

[Draggs]

Oh no, the 'C' word!

 

[smartcooky]

It makes perfect sense.

Before the Italian teams joined the Pro12, the top two Italian teams in the FIR Super 10 qualified for European rugby, but if they remain in the Pro12, and if the qualifying meritocracy being planned (top six only) does come in, then they could find themselves excluded from Europe altogether.

They are better off out of it from a Euro point of view.

In fact, this what the instigators of that meritocracy (the likes of PRL and the LNR) fail to understand. From a European qualifying standpoint, Scottish and Italian teams are disadvantaged by playing in the Pro12 under a top six meritocracy scheme. They are better off just having their own pro-competitions and having their top team qualifying.

 

[McTallshort]

Not bad! 16 posts before someone sticks the boot into the PRL who are obviously paying the Italians to quit the Pro12 and bullying the Welsh to join their league and infecting Murryfield with crazy worms and employing child soldiers to destabilize the congo. They also have a hanger in Chichester known as Area 51 were they keep the stolen remains of St Patrick, William Wallace and Rod Hull.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not bad! 16 posts before someone sticks the boot into the PRL who are obviously paying the Italians to quit the Pro12 and bullying the Welsh to join their league and infecting Murryfield with crazy worms and employing child soldiers to destabilize the congo. They also have a hanger in Chichester known as Area 51 were they keep the stolen remains of St Patrick, William Wallace and Rod Hull.

How did you know?