Pro14 structure

I chanced my arm by visiting the website www.pro14rugby.com and I got re -directed to the Super Rugby website.

pinky wrote: Wales Online reporting that the proposed additional derbies aren't going to happen so it would be just 19 games in the regular season, but they don't give any indication of why they think that. It's been re-reported in various other places to varying levels of hysteria. I can't for the life of me imagine why they would do such a thing so I assume it's nonsense. All will be revealed tomorrow.

I refuse to give them a click but it sounds like baseless speculation to me.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

pinky wrote: Wales Online reporting that the proposed additional derbies aren't going to happen so it would be just 19 games in the regular season, but they don't give any indication of why they think that. It's been re-reported in various other places to varying levels of hysteria. I can't for the life of me imagine why they would do such a thing so I assume it's nonsense. All will be revealed tomorrow.

I refuse to give them a click but it sounds like baseless speculation to me.

Since (a) it's Wales Online and (b) thousands of season tickets have already been sold by the current 12 teams based on 11 home games, I think we can rule this out as arrant nonsense.

And the possibility of losing a home game altogether

connemara man wrote: And the possibility of losing a home game altogether

What if they offered us some sort out of paper based recording device that could be used for collecting the signatures of players?
I for one, think that could solve all of our problems.

That, or return the free pint at every game

pinky wrote:

Shelflife wrote: There is also the potential logistical nightmare of having to offer an opt out to STH and refunds, we were sold tickets based on the current structure and in particular 3 local derbies, if sat Leinster and Munster are in the opposite conference id imagine that it may not sit well with some who have already bought their tickets.

Interesting times ahead.

There would still 3 derbies. European qualification wouldn't change that. Besides it would be for the following season. They will obviously not be in Europe in the coming season as the draw is already done.

Not in a 12 games Vs own conference +7 games Vs the other scenario. Someone will miss out on a home interpro if the Irish provinces are in different conferences which looks likely

And under that structure there'd be 6 home games Vs our own conference and a max of 4 home games Vs the other conference. That's a game down on last season

connemara man wrote: Not in a 12 games Vs own conference +7 games Vs the other scenario. Someone will miss out on a home interpro if the Irish provinces are in different conferences which looks likely

The only source for this is Clickbait Online Wales Online AFAIK. I'd say the 19 game scenario put forward by the Breitbart Rugby site is very unlikely as (1) everyone's sold tickets for 11 games and (2) teams would have uneven numbers of home games. Regardless of how clunky this season's format is, it's likely just an interim measure before the arrival of a U.S. team the following season. Four 5-team conferences (Ireland+US; Wales+weaker-SA team; Italy+Scotland+stronger-SA-team) with teams playing everyone in their conference twice, and everyone in the other conferences once, gives Anayi the end game he's said he sees as ideal: everyone plays 18 games, and the 4 extra rest weeks mean all internationals are available for all games and Gatland and Schmidt get told to go jump.

The IRFU are incentivised to to ensure that derbies take place in the largest ground, so you can be pretty sure that Connacht will be the ones losing out (surprise surprise).

Munster have been losing way more money than us, so obviously they'll have to get three interpros.

Evil_g wrote: The IRFU are incentivised to to ensure that derbies take place in the largest ground, so you can be pretty sure that Connacht will be the ones losing out (surprise surprise).

Munster have been losing way more money than us, so obviously they'll have to get three interpros.

If everyone played their own conference twice, and the other once, then logically each team loses one home and one away interpro. Any other breakdown of home interpros (3-2-2-1 or 3-3-1-1) doesn't wash. And don't forget the source of these rumours is tinfoil hat central*.

*I mean Wales Online, not Evil-g, obviously.

Other sources had the 12 + 7 format, but with 2 extra games to ensure a full set of H&A derbies. 21 game season. The likes of Glasgow would play Edinburgh 3 times. Need something official instead of all the rumours/speculation.

Why don't they just do the draw, see who avoids the most difficult away trips, then give them the cup?