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English fans have their say on possible new British League
By Josh Raisey
After a division around the rugby world earlier this year with the now binned Nations Championship idea, British rugby has its own idea that is splitting opinion.
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An anonymous chairman of a Gallagher Premiership team has said that a new British League will be in place in two years’ time. Similar to what they have already done in the Premiership, CVC are seeking to buy a stake in the PRO14 with the aim of forming a possible Anglo-Welsh League, or a British and Irish League.
While this idea has been warmly welcomed by Welsh fans on social media, many English fans have their reservations. The Welsh regions have struggled in recent years both on the field and in terms of garnering support. Stadium attendances have plummeted as have viewing figures, and there have been funding problems with the Welsh Rugby Union.
On the other hand, the Premiership is in a much healthier position, not only with attendances, but they have a lucrative TV deal with BT Sport. Many fans are struggling to see what the incentive is for English clubs to give up their league.
The biggest concern for English fans is that a British and Irish League would devalue the Champions Cup considerably. If all nations from the British Isles were competing week on week, it would mean that there are only a handful of new and unique fixtures against French opposition in the Champions Cup. The prestige and gravitas of the European competition would be diluted as a result.
Regional rugby supporters believe an Anglo-Welsh League would bolster attendances… @rhigarthjones crunches the current @PRO14Official and @ChampionsCup numbers that need to be considered ?https://t.co/UX7fNbitDQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 23, 2019
Furthermore, when looking at the Champions Cup, it is the matches against the Irish and French sides that draw in the biggest crowds in England and receive the most attention. While an Anglo-Welsh League seems the least likely of the options in the future, matches between the two countries will not be as attractive to English clubs as they are to Welsh.
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However, with the funding that CVC will provide, the British and Irish League may be different from what many think it will be and could very well be a success. That is why there are some English fans that are keen on this idea. But the majority seem to be content with what is in place currently. This is what has been said:
Can’t see an upside for English clubs with a British and Irish League. Not suddenly going to be making profits on the back of playing Cardiff and Newport. ???? pic.twitter.com/0W7HUDyPql
— David Summers (@davidsummers64) July 21, 2019
The Prem is doing just fine.
But thanks for the interest.— Mark murray (@Markmur29392563) July 21, 2019
No thanks. I like my rugby to mean something every week and would rather fewer games in the league with a European cup that means something different.
— peter r (@DaddyRiz1) July 22, 2019
Can’t see an upside for English clubs with a British and Irish League. Not suddenly going to be making profits on the back of playing Cardiff and Newport. ???? pic.twitter.com/0W7HUDyPql
— David Summers (@davidsummers64) July 21, 2019
I don't really see what is in it for the us (the English clubs), the overall league will be better off but some of the individual clubs will become just smaller fish in a bigger pond
— Mark Roberts (@Markdaktari) July 22, 2019
And it would destroy the European cup
— Goonersquare (@goonerquins) July 22, 2019
Terrible idea. Crowds will drop, shouldn't use the English Premiership to bale out the poorly supported pro 14.
— Shedview22 (@Shedview22) July 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/Stephen91314828/status/1152868235278213120?s=20
I think I’d prefer to ring fence the English Premiership than have a British League and I absolutely hate the thought of ring fencing.
— Andy Moakes (@AndyMoakes) July 20, 2019
Given the success Irish provinces have had over the past few years both domestically and in Europe, it is no surprise that this new league seems to be an unpopular option across the Irish Sea. Likewise, given the growing success of the Scottish sides in the PRO14, they are equally unlikely to match the Welsh’s zeal for this change.
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With the South African clubs only joining the PRO14 two seasons ago, and the Italian sides not many years before that, this new league idea would put out a number of countries if it were to happen. These are early days in this saga, but many fans already seem set on what they want.
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