Treviso and Zebre might be forced to leave the Pro12

[drc_007]

Treviso and Zebre might be forced to leave the Pro12 according to reports which claim they owe €1.5m to the league.

The Italian sides apparently have until the end of May to pay the money or face expulsion according to a BBC report.

London Welsh and London Scottish have been sounded out as possible replacements if the Italians were to leave, with Scottish chairman Sir David Reid admitting his club would be open-minded about a switch to the Pro12.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 55,00.html

I have to say the travel involved must make it expensive

[TigerCam]

Bummer!! One of my best weekends away! Done several trips not just with the Tigers (welsh mate - Ospreys). I will have to think of some other excuse I guess? Mind you it may stop the pestering about going to Venice, having been 5 times and my other half 0!!

[InGuinnessVeritas]

If they were to leave the Pro 12 and return to the National Championship of Excellence, it might not be the end of our Italian weekends away. This league already provides four teams for the European Challenge Cup so why not make qualification for the European Champions Cup:

6 from the Aviva Premiership
6 from the French Top 14
6 from the Pro 12
1 from the National Championship of Excellence
The 20th spot goes to the nation of the previous season's champions.

[InGuinnessVeritas]

From the BBC.

Apparently the FIR president has a plan.

[biffer]

If they were to leave the Pro 12 and return to the National Championship of Excellence, it might not be the end of our Italian weekends away. This league already provides four teams for the European Challenge Cup so why not make qualification for the European Champions Cup:

6 from the Aviva Premiership
6 from the French Top 14
6 from the Pro 12
1 from the National Championship of Excellence
The 20th spot goes to the nation of the previous season's champions.

Why change the 20th spot playoff?

[Noddy555]

The Italian Rugby Football Union will never let that happen and will pay the outstanding 1.5 million Euros themselves if they have to. I also
think it would be bad for London Welsh & Scottish with maybe in the future London Irish to quit the English leagues for the Celtic Pro 12.

[InGuinnessVeritas]

Why change the 20th spot playoff?

1. It makes it a lot simpler.
2. It cuts down on fixtures and gives players the chance of a summer break.

The current system (see here) is an over-complicated bag of nails.

However, this is all pie in the sky if the FIR's plan comes off.

[drc_007]

From the BBC.

Apparently the FIR president has a plan.

I suspect the other participants would just prefer the money.