It's to encourage clubs to have longer term development plans, such as improved grounds and academies, rather than to spunk their dwindling income on salaries in the short term purely to get promoted/maintain status - several well-established rugby union clubs have gone out of business the last few years, overpaying salaries at the expense of the club's economy, so it was a case of sitting back and doing nothing could result in a worse situation for the league and sport.
The problem is is that removes ambition for lower league clubs. Much the same way if the EPL became a closed shop.
It fundamentally undermines the defining principle of competitive sport. If winning and/or losing don't have consequences then what's the point? Nothing. Oh, hang on. Scrub that. Money.
It's all about opinions and I can see both sides. A lot of us watch the six nations every year and there's no relegation for last place or promotion from the second tier.
rovers winning easily... 1 kick from 7 converted... its kicked off between Rovers and Cas' supporters in the North Stand...
As tight as its going to be.. really hoping that it doesn't come down to these missed conversions. I dread to think how many points have not been converted.
It's a closed shop tournament and doesn't seem to lose any competitive edge because of it. But as I wrote, I see both sides of the discussion.
Eight tries and only two converted, on another day they might've been crucial, they really need to get a goal kicker in for next season.
I'm sure they have had one on the radar for ages Rover... but how do you incorporate him into the team and at who's expense at the moment .. so its just more tries and tries to compensate..,
Yea that's the problem, they're just relentless with the tries luckily and defence has been astounding.
It’s not a closed shop tournament, it’s gone from 4 teams to 5 and now it’s 6. And there is talk of expanding it further to include Georgia.
It is not the same as the Super League closed shop as there isn’t a similar competition a division lower. It is an international invitation event.For years they said they should expand it from the for nations which they did. Then they were criticised for having Italy in it as they were the whipping boys. Now Italy has improved considerably. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Georgia asked to enter in the future. For all the excitement over Georgia and their fans at World Cups and Euros rugby union is the main sport there.
There is - the Rugby Europe International Championship or Six Nations B as its nickname. It's the second tier competition that Georgie has won for the last seven years.
