This seems very clear, the clubs run the club game and the Unions run the national team and the grass roots, seems quite reasonable for a business to be allowed to run itself.
"If you want entertainment, go to the theatre," says Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill. "Rugby players play the game to win.15/1/21.
See the above article which clearly states that IRB will not sanction the new tournament and without their blessing the English and French RFU's are unlikely to either.
That seems to be differnt to the storey on the BBC web site in tigerburnie's post above and also I have heard it said twice on Radio leicester that IRB have sanctioned the potential new tournament....
Isn't this a major problem and in effect the clubs might have to break away ?
Government bodies never like to burn their bridges with other countries Governing bodies because there is always another negotiation to be had in the future.
So in the case that the French and English clubs actions would severely damage the Unions of the Celtic nations, wouldnt the RFU and French rugby union be reluctant to approve that action ?
tig1 wrote:Isn't this a major problem and in effect the clubs might have to break away ?
Government bodies never like to burn their bridges with other countries Governing bodies because there is always another negotiation to be had in the future.
So in the case that the French and English clubs actions would severely damage the Unions of the Celtic nations, wouldnt the RFU and French rugby union be reluctant to approve that action ?
I would prefer a breakaway. Especially from the IRB who do not act in the interests of the majority of stakeholders in Rugby Union.
I'm a bit confused ( not difficult really ) but why do the IRB have to "sanction" any new club competition? And what would happen if they don't sanction it and the clubs simply ignore them and carry on? Would we end up with some kind of Kerry Packer-esque exclusion by a pseudo elected organisation?
johns wrote:Would not be surprised if the RFU did not put some pressure on ERC, the Celts are in a very poor financial position.
Pardon? I'm getting confused with your double negatives. Are you saying you would be surprised if the RFU 'leaned' on ERC?
All the RFU has to do is not oppose the Anglo-French proposal: if they don't, then the IRB won't object. To me, it seems the Pro12 teams are slowly coming round to the idea of a new European competition run along the lines of what has been suggested by England and France and it might be prudent for them to make enthusiastic noises about it.
Whatever you do, don't argue. We might never hear from you again.
AFAIK the ERC have had plenty of time to discuss this openly and reasonably, and not just in the year and a bit since the French and English clubs posted their intention to withdraw from an ERC organised European competition.
This dispute has been rumbling on for some years now, but, I'm guessing, that the "fifty-seven (or how many there really are) old farts" at the ERC (to paraphrase Will Carling) have just realised that their days of having their snouts in a very comfortable trough are limited.
This situation should never, really, have to come to this arbitration style confrontation! Obviously I only see the same reports and comments that everyone else reads from the media, but it seems like the ERC and, possibly, the IRFU have benn pretty intransigent throughout this whole disagreement.
Actually it's a way the Celts can back-down and still 'save face', as it's not them who'll make the decision to agree to changes but the "independent" mediator!
For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name,
He marks - not that you won or lost - but how you played the Game."
Why on earth would the English and French want to go to mediation, they have told the IRFU/ERC want is required. What is the point of them making this stance, then giving it up in negotiations. They are on the verge of wrestling control of European rugby from the IRFU, for the clubs to run the competition for the benefit of themselves and their supporters.
) but why do the IRB have to "sanction" any new club competition? And what would happen if they don't sanction it and the clubs simply ignore them and carry on? Would we end up with some kind of Kerry Packer-esque exclusion by a pseudo elected organisation? 
