Bath's 'best trainer' set for seasonal debut

You have highlighted the absurdity of that idea yourself by placing the JLRO up on that same Top 14 metric.

Even looking introspectively it's foley to think the Top 14 is the best product it can be.

We've already been over this. Obviously you can argue what 'best' means in the context of French viewership, and what you seem to be arguing in favour of, the business's, the broadcasters and sponsors. What they want could vary by the competing networks and sports, viewing hours and days (very different in a country like India for example), slot priority, etc, etc. I was specifically talking about the context above and how that can show French supporters they don't need to be lumped with what they've got, that they shouldn't think it needs to stay the way it is because it must "obviously" be the best way. It's not. It doesn't.

ARU, NZR and FFR are all notoriously strong headed so I do wonder how much of the concessions are being asked of France vs SH in terms of scheduling

How good was Uru and then LSL off the bench? That lineout steal may just be my favourite rugby clip of the year and he brought some serious power on the ground too.

I don’t know how we pick Wilson to be honest.

Scotland will be tough. Sorry for him but I’m glad Dempsey isn’t playing this week. I want us to smash them and wouldn’t have enjoyed a Tah lad being on the wrong end.

Would love for SA to partake. That would mean it has to be a large comp, where say it regularly competes home/away with NA, and another random conference away, another home, etc?

I think you're getting into even more difficulty flight wise than having South Africa though. A team based out of Santiago is about as good as I can see including a SAn team in SR proper.

Agree re the new venture, not a fans league. I wouldn't be too fused about it otherwise though, it will heavily draw on NH talent (the talent playing in NH but with no real attachment to it), so they could hve the 50 best kiwis playing it instead of Top14/Japan for all I care. I also wouldn't be surprised if they know what they're doing. The 7's circuit sells out in a similar fashion to non rugby fans, and this will be far more prestigious. That it will mess with the north real bad makes be kinda want to see it happen, but you're right, probably not the best way for rugby to reach the global appeal its after.

I like the logistics of 4 team conferences as well, dropping the highlanders and perhaps having the other teams basically finance that group of NZs and having them still eligible for the ABs.

However, there has been gains in the tight five