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Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:14 pm
by Snipe Watson
Reading at the weekend that USA rugby has filed for bankruptcy "as a result of compounded and insurmountable financial constraints".
This is first domino to fall in all likelihood as RFU, NZR and ARU are each predicting massive losses north of £50m something has to give. Given that rugby's clubs and unions are mostly living hand to mouth. I'm wondering is the whole thing, as we know it, about to crumble into insolvency?
Then there's the club game....
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:51 pm
by solidarity
Personally, I wouldn't miss professional rugby. What has it ever done for us (a bit like the Romans)?
Think about it, without pro rugby, we wouldn't have had Mike Gibson, Barry John, Serge Blanco, Andy Irvine, Colin Meads and maybe an Englishman or two! Aye right!
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:49 pm
by Bobbievee
David Beckham, John pullin, Fran cotton, Andy Ripley............
And don't start on the Welsh!!
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:50 pm
by Bobbievee
That was ,David Duckham!!
Bloody spellchecker
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 1:13 pm
by tigerburnie
There's going to be less money around for sure, how many sponsors of the game will have money to spare?
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 8:58 pm
by solidarity
I'd be really sorry for the folk who lose their jobs and a bit less for players who have to get by on a lower salary (by the way, what sort of money are UR players on?) but amateur or semi-pro rugby would be ok.
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 2:51 pm
by nonplussed
not too bothered if it is, I've been enjoying matches at our local club where my boys play minis and youth rugby. Pints are cheaper, crowd is more accommodating and my wife is delighted that the taxi costs are much less than from Ravenhill.
I've been a ST holder for 15 odd years, my sons more recently, but we've all agreed not to renew, not for any other reason than my kids enjoy our club more, and have more freedom to roam. I'm sure there's quite a few in the same boat.
Local clubs may get a benefit from Covid in the long run
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:19 pm
by jean valjean
I wonder how many of our pro players would go back to the club game for the love it?
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:40 am
by Setanta
Australia have finally come clean and admit they want to see Union and League merge. Perhaps we can now see the scrum and breakdown rules being applied!
Re: Is pro rugby as we know it finished?
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:13 am
by nonplussed
jean valjean wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:19 pm
I wonder how many of our pro players would go back to the club game for the love it?
i think most would. A lot of retirees and those that get released already go back to club rugby for a time. WJMcB surmises in the Beltel today.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/spor ... 61024.html