English Journalist Proposes British & Irish Super Rugby Competition

The Big League.

Respected English journalist Paul Kitson has come up with a solution to everything that’s going on currently in relation to domestic rugby in Britain and Ireland.

The PRO14 has undergone several changes in recent seasons in a bid to be more successful, while the English Premiership is currently flirting with the idea of “ring-fencing” their top-tier, with 12-14 teams, eliminating relegation and promotion.

But what if the forces of Britain and Ireland came together to form their own northern hemisphere ‘Super Rugby’ competition?

“Imagine a bolder, rebranded alternative – and the marketeers can have this for free – called the Big League. The ideal format will always be a matter of debate but two tiers of 12, determined by end-of-season placings from recent years, would be my preference.” Kitson writes.

Writing in The Guardian, Kitson proposes a two-tiered competition and this is how he reckons the leagues might look:

TIER ONE

Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, Glasgow, Ulster, Ospreys, Saracens, Exeter, Wasps, Leicester, Bath. Newcastle.

TIER TWO

Northampton, Gloucester, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, Worcester, Bristol, London Irish, Edinburgh, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Connacht, AN Other

“In addition, it would help preserve the British and Irish Lions from the circling hyenas.” Kitson adds.

“Fixture lists, finally, could be collectively tweaked every four years to give a touring Lions party the best possible preparation. Contentious selections would also be reduced: the best players across the four home unions would be confronting each other more often, rather than merely in the Six Nations.”

“The European Champions’ Cup would still maintain its point of difference, with the leading French sides continuing to pile in as before.”

What do you think? A good idea? Have a read through his full proposal here.

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