Steve Diamond wary of the 'hawks' that are 'picking on' Newcastle

"Agreed with 4 pool of 4 and home and away games?"

I understand the appeal of pools of 4, but 6 pool games might not go down well with the French or the South Africans given already cramped schedules. I do still think that you're right that that would be the best system, but there is going to be a real danger of French and SA sides sending b-teams which could really devalue the competition unless there is a way to incentivise performance, e.g. by allowing teams that do well one year to directly qualify for the next year's competition.

In their only two seasons! No, but they had more quarter finalists. Same reason countries do/don't get in WC's of course (the All Whites example I gave, they've never deserved entry based on quality). It's fine if you chose to put forward an idea without that factor having merit, it will stand on it's own two feet whether it passes or not.

I don't think he did, he just didn't realise EPCRs previous results would mean even more imbalance, not also that there was a cap system. We'd need to look to at the impact of league size in this equation as well.

But I should stop saying what he meant as he also didn't specifcally talk about SA's part in URCs increased presence either. That was just me jumping at reasons.

I don't think its accurate that the South Africans have been the best of URC's contribution to EPCR rugby. In their first two seasons years they didn't get a single team to the semis, and at the rate they're going this season they'll be lucky to get anyone to the round of 16!

And I don't know why countries with more applicants should get more places, if the teams that apply don't meet the requirements to qualify.

I've typed out a reply regarding the pool format but I won't send it if you don't answer my question.

Applicants I mean to say, the most teams wanting to be a part of it. I think it only fair the get an applicable share (just reiterating my old point).

Agreed with 4 pool of 4 and home and away games?

I don't have much of an opinion about how it should be done. It isn't my preferred system as I think there should be a significant number of teams who qualify directly as a result of their performance in the previous year's CC. But I think 6/5/5 or 6/6/4 would probably make the most sense as splits if they ever did go over to the UEFA model.

Concussion is also an issue that has seen sports like ultimate frisbee gain ground. All competitions and clubs should integrate touch rugby teams into their pathways. Whenever clubs play XVs games, they should also be taking 20mins to play a competitive touch rugby game too.

Then take rugby branding and move it away from the fringe game that only crazy people play and make it an exercise-first sport that caters to everyone including people who don't want contact.

Not sure it would be fair to judge McKellar on Leicester, it’s a tough gig with that dressing room and looked more like a poor fit more than anything else.

Would be a shock if O’Gara would touch it, he publicly dismissed Wales recently but covets France, England and Ireland - in that order.

Cotter would be interesting and he’s got qualities but he’s also got some elements of Eddie Jones about him believe it or not - he had the Scotland wc squad in camp, believe it or not, with the French foreign legion and ripping the heads off chickens!

You also insisted you knew how the UEFA system works, despite the fact that the UEFA system doesn't assume a 1:1 correspondance between points and places.