danielnell15
Academy Player
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2010
- Messages
- 32
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Martin Anayi & World Rugby - please take note...
The United Rugby Shield (URS) would be a standalone expansion league to the URC that would be made up of club franchises from both the Northern & Southern Hemispheres. It's objective would be a high performance pathway competition for both developed Tier 1 and developing Tier 2 nations as well as to grow and expand the global reach of the United Rugby brand to new exciting territories/destinations and rugby fans alike.
The league would consist of two groups of 6 teams (total 12 teams)
URS Competition Format:
Northern Group: (Group A)
1) Aberdeen Rugby (Scotland)
2) Roma Praetorians (Italy)
3) Tbilisi Black Lion (Georgia)
4) Barcelona Diables Rugby (Spain)
5) London Irish (England)
6) Wasps Rugby (England)
Southern Group: (Group B)
1) Toyota Cheetahs (RSA)
2) Airlink Pumas (RSA)
3) Suzuki Griquas (RSA)
4) Sanlam Cavaliers (RSA)
5) Jaguares (based in Cape Town)
6) Windhoek Rugby (Namibia)
(an additional 4no. teams could be added to the comp in the future once established from Spain (Madrid), Portugal, Kenya & RSA)
Each team would play each other in their own group twice and play teams once each from the other group. The top team ranked in each of the two groups at the end of the season plays in the grand final.
EPCR Challenge Cup Qualification:
The two finalist of the URS would automatically gain entry into the EPCR Challenge Cup the following season. If the EPCR would expand potentially by a further 2 teams from its current format, an additional 2 URS teams ranked 2nd in each group would also gain qualification. (Total 4no. EPCR qualification spots)
No URC promotion / relegation:
With the financial/commercial carrot of EPCR Qualification there would be no need for any promotion/ relegation with the flagship URC competition. The URS would run in parallel with the URC with the potential of having some URS games played at the same matchday venues as URC fixtures for a cross league fan engagement.( ie curtain raisers)
Please let me know your thoughts on this new club franchise competition concept. Hopefully something of the sort would be feasible and sponsors/ broadcasters would be interested in the product. I think the quality of the comp over time would improve and I personally would be really keen on watching these teams play each other.
Have a great day!
.....................................
Past articles on this subject:
'It looks promising,' says Cheetahs boss Hawies Fourie about new URC 'B' division | The Citizen
Griquas and Pumas might also be a part of the competition.
www.citizen.co.za
URC looking at 'B Division' that will include Cheetahs
A crucial meeting of the minds at the end of the month could pave the way for the Cheetahs to return to international competition in Europe.
www.rugbypass.com
Last edited: