RogueXV wrote: Fewer games might address my main quibble with the league (and it's really not that big) that being the number of games played without the marquee players through 6N, AI and enforced rest periods. Now the league can't do anything about players leaving for greener pastures in France and England but fewer games might insure that the top players feature in a larger percentage of the league season.

My one question with a set-up like Rossie has purposed would be how might it work out with HEC qualification? It might be tough to answer with the uncertainty of how a future European cup will look like.

Isn't there a proposal/move to standardise the international and domestic seasons globally coming into place soon? I wonder will this change the timing of certain games/breaks that you mentioned and have a positive impact on the league?

Personally I enjoy the league but would agree with comments above about empty stadiums it gives the wrong impression. Also agree that a new/bigger/longer term sponsor and more tie ins could raise the profile.

Also some might not agree but perhaps if Aviva were the sponsors and took over for at least 5 years it would raise the profile of the league. I know they already named lansdowne and have the premiership so some might think it overkill but for those reasons it would also make a lot of sense. There might be more options for tie ins between the different entities as well as advertising cross over, competitions, tickets, etc etc. It might open the possibility of a rugby form of charity shield event between the winners of the pro12 and the premiership which would be logistically awkward at first but potentially pretty exciting.

Big fan of the league and think it's getting better every year. People still forget that compared to the English and French one it's just a baby. No complaints here.

Fewer games might address my main quibble with the league (and it's really not that big) that being the number of games played without the marquee players through 6N, AI and enforced rest periods. Now the league can't do anything about players leaving for greener pastures in France and England but fewer games might insure that the top players feature in a larger percentage of the league season.

My one question with a set-up like Rossie has purposed would be how might it work out with HEC qualification? It might be tough to answer with the uncertainty of how a future European cup will look like.

I was thinking more in terms of format than adding/ removing teams etc. With some form if merit based qualification on the cards the number of games in the league need to be reduced by a few IMO. Provinces being required to rest players under player welfare management, which will remain regardless , for important games is a real issue.

There is only one other league tournament out there that involves multiple nations. That's the super 15 and they moved to three home conferences, similar to NFL, to maximise national interest and revenue and reduce games to keep within time frame allocated AFAIK.
This model may suit the pro12 in mud to long term but my suggestion is a hybrid of that

Conference A- 4 Irish provinces + 2 Italian regions
conference B - 4 welsh regions + 2 Scottish regions.

I broke it up this way to retain derbies and have similar strength conferences
Each team in the conference would play each other home and away totaling 10 games.
The teams from conference A would play each team in conference B once alternating home or away every other season totalling 6 games.
The regular season would have 16 games.
The playoffs would then kick in . My initial thoughts are for a division 1 and 2 scenario. The team finishing top of each conference getting a home semifinal. 2nd would play 3rd of opposite conference in qtrs. Winners to semi. The final would be a two legged affair with team with best overall record at home for 2nd leg.
Division 2 knockout similar with 4th in each conference to semi with 5th v 6th in qtrs.

This frees up 4 weekends for rest and gives more local ownership to the conferences. It needs work but you get the picture

Not majorly but I think its past time qualification was merit based. I know we all want to see representatives from all countries in the HEC but the Rabo qualification needs to be overhauled as part of an overall process that would make the HEC and Challenge Cup competitions more competitive.

We need to make this work. I think a major disadvantage for the league is the games in the likes of Murrayfield in particular being played in a huge stadium with 3-4k at it. This does no-one any favours. Similarly Scarlets have an excellent ground but seeing two fine stands always empty behind the goal makes it look like no-one cares and makes the match look flat when in fact these teams are getting decent attendances.

A lot of it with the league is perception, a more professional approach from the organisers would reap benefits.

I'm a fan of the league, to be honest. I'll echo what others have said, would be great if there was a bigger sponsor and if tv audiences could be grown. Don't see much room for increased numbers in the competition at the moment, with the bottom teams struggling for funding. The other side of the coin would be they decrease all the teams by 1, leaving 3 Irish, 1 italian etc. etc.

We all know where that would lead, and I don't think ANY of us want to even think down that road.

I mean, I know they've been a bit iffy, but I'm sure Munster can claw their way back..

reform from clubs to province and then Italian additions were made to be more attractive... we can't do more if we don't want to lose any grassroot rugby.

The real issue is inside the teams, but attendances are slowly increasing.. Meanwhile we will never have French and English TV markets with 6 million Irish, 6 million Scot and 3 Million Welsh, even if we added few Italians (non footballers)...

I think the Pro12 is pretty ok as it is, gammy name asides. The structure of the league - essentially identical to the Aviva Premiership - is fine.

Competitiveness issue - once Blues could not be overtaken by Dragons no team below 6th had anything to play for - would be addressed by HEC reform and fewer places.

Prestige issue would be addressed by bringing in a proper sponsor i.e. one that spans all geographies and increased competitiveness.

Also the hype and quality of coverage should increase and improve once Sky get involved.

With all the hysteria of the last few days and likelyhood of reform of the hec in the near future is the time right to also reform pro12?
One thing that caught my attention during who row was the low esteem the league was held in by fans of the teams who participate in it. That applies to Irish welsh and Scots. Many consider it a crap competition.

What can be done to change that view point?