Time to expand the 6N?

[Lizard]

If the Pacific Nations Cup could be stabilised and better funded, I would be right on board with adding Japan to the RC now and having a promotion/relegation match with the winner of a Sam/Ton/Fij/USA/Can PNC. Perhaps even a condition that you need to win 2 P/R matches in consecutive years to go up, just for some stability.

[Sandydragon]

The case for reorganising routine international fixtures is building. Japan and Georgia need regular competitions at a higher level as do the PI teams, particularly Fiji.

That said, I’m not a huge fan of promotion and relegation to and from the 6N as it stands. Italy haven’t improved as much as anyone would like, but dropping them back to the lower level of Euro rugby won’t help them. If Georgia was to be promoted then it’s likely that they would be relegated one or two years later. Does that really help them long term?

Is it time for a more radical shakeup in European rugby, not to mention other competitions?

[fivepointer]

Ugo making the case for Japan in the 6N's https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... -world-cup

[Mellsblue]

I still think Japan in the RC and SA in the 6N makes more sense. Regardless, WR need to strike whilst the iron is hot.

[Lizard]

I still think Japan in the RC and SA in the 6N makes more sense. Regardless, WR need to strike whilst the iron is hot.

Yep. Japan deserve something. The case is much clearer than it has ever been for Italy, let alone Georgia. They may even surpass Argentina by the end of the tournament.

[Mr Mwenda]

Carbon footprint?

[richy678]

Do we not begin this 10 Super Nations yearly round-robin thing in a year or so?

It sits me between 2 stools.

There is an appetite and a market for more international rugby - but its got to mean something.

The national rugby union team of New Zealand have done well to maintain some mystique since the mid 1980's when we only used to see them on old fashioned tours.

We now have 4 yearly world cups - which is all fine and dandy, and a nh and sh yearly tournament. The calendar does still accommodate old fashioned 3 test tours, or grand slam tours for nz/oz/sa when they come up north.

Things should change for the better.

We also have professional/franchise elite club competitions and in England and France a professional top tier club league.

I think we can still grow the game - with a clear need to focus on bringing through emerging nations - how they do that without domestic/regional professional leagues is a bit of a worry.

Is there another international professional sport which has a yearly tournament between top nations, and then a 4 yearly world cup? and a shortened version in the Olympics?

lets not leave anyone out in the cold like Romania in the 1980's though.

[Digby]

lets not leave anyone out in the cold like Romania in the 1980's though.

Speak to Romania in 2019

[Lizard]

I don’t think Romania was so much left out in the cold as suffered from their Union’s close links to the deposed Communist regime.

[Stom]

I don’t think Romania was so much left out in the cold as suffered from their Union’s close links to the deposed Communist regime.

Then you’d expect them to still be out in the cold considering their political situation!

[Lizard]

The issue was that Ceaușescu was a supporter of rugby so much of the Romanian Union’s funding was from the regime and some key players were “employed” by the state eg as police. When the violent revolution occurred in 1989, the Union’s funding dried up, six of the national team were killed (!) and rugby’s reputation was tainted by its association with the old regime. So Romania went from being host of an All Blacks tour and serious candidate to make the 5N the 6N to dropping behind Italy in the pecking order (Romania had a winning record in 29 tests v Italy up to 1990).

[Mikey Brown]

Don't like the expanded RC and don't like the idea of expanding the 6N or adding a diet-RWC. All the biggest teams should be committing to visit the Pacific Islands, Japan and smaller European teams and make sure they all have tests against top sides every single year. I don't follow the other cup competitions and how they're run, maybe that's just me and maybe there isn't a big enough deal made out of them.

It feels exciting when we play NZ because we don't do it much. We got to a point where I was getting pretty bored of watching England play Australia for instance. Obviously we want to play the very best teams we can but a couple (more) fixtures a year where we can try things out (England just seem to use Argentina for this recently) would be great.

[Big D]

If rugby is to truly become a global game the long term goal needs to be to strengthen the regions so that regional international competitions become stronger. The problem is that the odd one or two from the lower ranked regions are significantly better than the others.

Competition matters, but so do the fans. Part of what makes the 6N special is that people can travel relatively short distances see all their countries 6N games if they want or sit and watch them at good times for viewing rugby. Some of the few times smaller rugby clubs are packed out is for 6N games. It may just be my perception but the 4N doesn't have that same fan engagement.

In the short term, Japan and Georgia need to be included in summer and autumn tours. The PI sides deserve more too. Perhaps resurrect the A team 6N and tinker with it to have 2 pools of 4, a semi and a final so Georgia + 1 can get exposure to a better standard of team, Georgia should dust off a couple of A teams.

I'd have Japan and AN Other (Fiji?) should join the 4N based on time zones for the time being.

I can't see the 6N budging, some (probably Scotland) will not want to jeopardise the game in their own country. Scotland's income will revolve largely around the 6N, sponsorship deals will be larger because they are in the 6N, ticket revenues greater etc. I have seen 1st hand how that money benefits the smaller domestic clubs. Considering the Union acts on behalf of its members they wont vote for change. Other unions may be in the same boat. Not saying it is the right viewpoint to have but one I can see that side of the argument to.

[Big D]

And bring back mid week tests on tours...

[Mellsblue]

On the Times podcast:
Discussion on Friday at WR meeting about the Sunwolves being readmitted into Super Rugby and Japan into the RC. JRFU also looking at ways of boosting the domestic league to capitalise on the national teams success.

No. I don’t have a link.

[Digby]

Club rugby in Japan is still going to be based around the corporate sides, so how the Sunwolves make sense in Japan and who's going to pay for them is an issue

[Puja]

On the Times podcast:
Discussion on Friday at WR meeting about the Sunwolves being readmitted into Super Rugby and Japan into the RC. JRFU also looking at ways of boosting the domestic league to capitalise on the national teams success.

No. I don’t have a link.

Yeah, I wanna f*cking bet SANZAAAAAAAR want them back. I'm imagining Steve Tew's eyes lighting up with dollar signs after watching the crowds at this RWC.

Argentina must be bricking it though - how long are their contracts signed for?

Puja

[richy678]

I still think Japan in the RC and SA in the 6N makes more sense. Regardless, WR need to strike whilst the iron is hot.

Does that mean they're super rugby franchises play in the european club/franchise regional competitiion as well?

[Mellsblue]

I still think Japan in the RC and SA in the 6N makes more sense. Regardless, WR need to strike whilst the iron is hot.

Does that mean they're super rugby franchises play in the european club/franchise regional competitiion as well?

Could do. They already play in Europe with their two Pro14 teams and I know it’s been informally discussed from time to time......normally when they need a bartering chip when in negotiations with NZ & Aus mind.