With the excitement of the Heineken Cup reaching boiling point, it's a sad backdrop to think this competition is threatened with the English and French clubs wanting change.
Those clubs are challenging the rights of the Italian and Scottish teams that automatically qualify for the Heineken Cup and who get more money per team than the English and French teams who they maintain bring all the money to the competition. All of which makes 100% sense.
However, some of their suggestions for reform are too drastic, too unfair in the other direction, and are designed to losing some of the magic of the Heineken Cup.
And there are things about the Heineken Cup that make it the best competition in all of sport. There are few competitions that generate a huge amount of excitement with each match day One of the main reasons for this is the way nothing is decided about qualifying from pools until every game is played.
This comes about from two reasons; 1. The top placed winner plays the 8th seed in the quarters at the home of the top seed, and so on. This ensures that even if a team has qualified from their pool, that they still put out strong teams and keep going in every game. Personally, I think this is a great idea, and should be incorporated into other competitions, like the Rugby World Cup, and other sports, like the Champions League. Think how much more exciting it would be if the Champions League had the top teams playing their best team for 6 group games and not just 4 and 2 with reserves.
The second bit of magic about the Heineken Cup is the state of second place teams in the competition. Not having a number of pools to allow for just winners, or both winners and second place, means that more teams are watching every pool. Which means fans are more interested in all games, and not just games that concern their team. Having 6 pools, with 2 second place qualifying and 3 going to the Amlin, is great for both competitions.
In any re-structuring of the competition, I believe these are key components that need to be kept.
Therefore, the proposition of reducing the competition from 24 to 20 teams will mean it won't be 6 pools of 4 anymore. Putting one of those components at risk. It could be 4 pools of 5, which means all second place qualify, which is a disaster, or 5 pools of 4. This would mean, 3 second place teams qualify, and potentially the top 3rd team qualify for the Amlin, which might be a bit much, but isn't a disaster. It's not as good as 6 pools, so my preference would be to keep 24 teams.
Qualification as it happens now is as follows (from wikipedia) :
22 places are awarded by country, with each country deciding how to allocate their allotted places:
England: six teams (selected by performance in Aviva Premiership and Anglo-Welsh Cup)
France: six teams (selected by performance in Top 14 Championship)
Ireland: three teams (selected by performance in Pro 12)
Wales: three teams (selected by performance in Pro 12)
Scotland: two teams (selected by participation in Pro 12)
Italy: two teams (selected by participation in Pro 12)
Starting with the 2009–10 season, the remaining two places in the 24-team tournament for the following season are filled by the winners of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. If a trophy winner has already qualified for the Heineken Cup by virtue of its league position, that country will receive an extra Heineken Cup place (assuming that the country has an extra team that can take up a place; Scotland has only two top-level professional teams, as does Italy since the 2010–11 season). However, England and France are capped at seven Heineken Cup places each. If either country produces the winners of both European cups, the last place will be filled by the highest ERC-ranked club not of that nation to not have otherwise qualified. The latter rule also applies if one of Scotland's two Pro 12 teams wins a European trophy.
The problem with this is that is allows Pro 12 teams a free ride in, and means their proportion of money is heavily in their favour.
There is room for manoeuvre in this aspect. If the English and French teams got an extra team each, with potential for more, and the Pro12 got 7 teams total, with 1 from each country guaranteed and the rest from the highest place finish. Guaranteeing more of a competitive Pro 12, while still having teams from different countries, which is important.
This has 21 spots, with an extra two based on before with winners from the Heineken and Amlin Cups, and potentially pick the best team from outside these countries in an attempt to widen the rugby horizon. Which is what rugby is all about.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Best uncapped Irish team
I thought with 6 new uncapped players in the Irish squad, and the talk about preparing for the future, that I'd have a look at a some of the better uncapped players around Ireland at the moment. One thing I noticed doing this is that not many players are uncapped anymore.
For this team, I'm looking at a potential Irish team for the future, with one rule, they can't be capped. Some choices may have better alternatives that are uncapped, but I'm thinking long-term potential over current ability.
15. Jared Payne / Robbie Henshaw
Probably one of the hardest choices. The immediate class of Payne vs the huge ability of Henshaw. With Payne uncapped and qualifying next year, I can't judge him on his current ability, but of his ability in a year and whether I think he will still be as good.
And he probably will.
14. Tiernan O'Hallorhan
I'm a huge fan of O'Hallorhan. He's been in good form recently, and deserves further recognition within the Irish set-up. He was one of the few players in the hammering against Quins to come out with his head held high. One for the future definitely.
Mentions: Luke O'Dea
13. Eoin O'Malley
Hopefully O'Malley will stay injury-free for a while, and start delivering on some immense potential that he always shows when he gets a chance behind BOD.
Mention: Danny Barnes
12. Luke Marshall
Those who know me know how much I wax lyrical about Marshall. I think this kid has it all. The ability to play ten, therefore kicking and playmaking skills. A good pass. Very solid defence, and breakdown skills. He's like moulding D'Arcy and O'Gara. And he's only young and improving. I love the idea of having two players that can mix and match at first receiver.
11. Niall Morris
Niall Morris has been impressing me this season. He's getting a lot of gametime at Leicester, which is no mean feat. It's been no surprise that there was talk of Leinster trying to entice him back. I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature for the Wolfhounds soon.
10. JJ Hanrahan
Right, so I've gone with potential here. JJ is good. He will make it. At 10 or 12. And I think Marshall is a better 12 then anyone coming up at 10. Nominated for IRB young player of the tournament at last years JWC. Says it all really. Needs to kick on soon.
9. Michael Heaney/ Luke McGrath / Paul Marshall / Kieran Marmion
Lots of candidates here. Probably the hardest pick. I'd have Heaney over Marshall, mostly because they seem similar, and Heaney is 7 years younger and can grow. I've seen Luke McGrath grow up through school and he looks like something special. But I have to give it to Kieran Marmion. He has been playing this season as though he were a veteran. Oozes class and this should be recognised.
1. Denis Buckley / Jack McGrath
Denis Buckley has impressed in better company in the Pro 12 and H Cup this year, but I have a sneaky feeling Jack McGrath has more about him. He regularly captains the Leinster A side, suggesting a bit of leadership about him. But with Buckley getting more gametime, I probably should go with him.
2. Niall Annett
Captain of the 20's last year hasn't looked out of place when playing for Ulster this year. Solid throwing and offering himself around the pitch. Great future ahead of him
Mention: Mike Sherry
3. Martin Moore
This guy has been making waves in the Leinster academy, and with the absence of decent potential coming through. Want to see more of him
Mention: Stephen Archer
4. Lewis Stevenson
It's great to see Stevenson getting recognised for a great performance last week. Looked the part and squeezes ahead of others yet to show how good they can be.
Mention: Ben Marshall, Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
What a talent this guy is. Even though we haven't seen much of him in a Leinster shirt. SA are very upset he has left, and he looked impressive in the 20 minutes I saw ahead of that horrific fall. Clear winner.
6. Jordi Murphy
Jordi has exploded this year with some great performances, putting pressure on Ruddock, Ryan and McLaughlin. Conceivable that he could be a great in a few years.
7. Tommy O'Donnell
If not for the injuries that have blighted his career. What an impact he has had this season. Upstaged CJ Stander on his impressive debut, and has kicked on. Big year for him, should be involved in the 39 man squad.
Mentions: Dominic Ryan / Sean Dougall
8. CJ Stander
What a fantastic talent. This guy would be a Bok already if he hadn't left. Super talent, and I think his best position is at 8. With Butler coming through you might see more of him at 6, or potentially 7. But this guy oozes class, and will be a leadership figure in years to come.
Mention: Paddy Butler
15. Payne, 14. O'Hallorhan, 13. O'Malley, 12. Marshall, 11. Morris, 10. Hanrahan, 9. Marmion, 1. Buckley, 2. Annett, 3. Moore, 4. Stevenson, 5. Roux, 6. Murphy, 7. O'Donnell, 8. Stander
For this team, I'm looking at a potential Irish team for the future, with one rule, they can't be capped. Some choices may have better alternatives that are uncapped, but I'm thinking long-term potential over current ability.
15. Jared Payne / Robbie Henshaw
Probably one of the hardest choices. The immediate class of Payne vs the huge ability of Henshaw. With Payne uncapped and qualifying next year, I can't judge him on his current ability, but of his ability in a year and whether I think he will still be as good.
And he probably will.
14. Tiernan O'Hallorhan
I'm a huge fan of O'Hallorhan. He's been in good form recently, and deserves further recognition within the Irish set-up. He was one of the few players in the hammering against Quins to come out with his head held high. One for the future definitely.
Mentions: Luke O'Dea
13. Eoin O'Malley
Hopefully O'Malley will stay injury-free for a while, and start delivering on some immense potential that he always shows when he gets a chance behind BOD.
Mention: Danny Barnes
12. Luke Marshall
Those who know me know how much I wax lyrical about Marshall. I think this kid has it all. The ability to play ten, therefore kicking and playmaking skills. A good pass. Very solid defence, and breakdown skills. He's like moulding D'Arcy and O'Gara. And he's only young and improving. I love the idea of having two players that can mix and match at first receiver.
11. Niall Morris
Niall Morris has been impressing me this season. He's getting a lot of gametime at Leicester, which is no mean feat. It's been no surprise that there was talk of Leinster trying to entice him back. I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature for the Wolfhounds soon.
10. JJ Hanrahan
Right, so I've gone with potential here. JJ is good. He will make it. At 10 or 12. And I think Marshall is a better 12 then anyone coming up at 10. Nominated for IRB young player of the tournament at last years JWC. Says it all really. Needs to kick on soon.
9. Michael Heaney/ Luke McGrath / Paul Marshall / Kieran Marmion
Lots of candidates here. Probably the hardest pick. I'd have Heaney over Marshall, mostly because they seem similar, and Heaney is 7 years younger and can grow. I've seen Luke McGrath grow up through school and he looks like something special. But I have to give it to Kieran Marmion. He has been playing this season as though he were a veteran. Oozes class and this should be recognised.
1. Denis Buckley / Jack McGrath
Denis Buckley has impressed in better company in the Pro 12 and H Cup this year, but I have a sneaky feeling Jack McGrath has more about him. He regularly captains the Leinster A side, suggesting a bit of leadership about him. But with Buckley getting more gametime, I probably should go with him.
2. Niall Annett
Captain of the 20's last year hasn't looked out of place when playing for Ulster this year. Solid throwing and offering himself around the pitch. Great future ahead of him
Mention: Mike Sherry
3. Martin Moore
This guy has been making waves in the Leinster academy, and with the absence of decent potential coming through. Want to see more of him
Mention: Stephen Archer
4. Lewis Stevenson
It's great to see Stevenson getting recognised for a great performance last week. Looked the part and squeezes ahead of others yet to show how good they can be.
Mention: Ben Marshall, Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
What a talent this guy is. Even though we haven't seen much of him in a Leinster shirt. SA are very upset he has left, and he looked impressive in the 20 minutes I saw ahead of that horrific fall. Clear winner.
6. Jordi Murphy
Jordi has exploded this year with some great performances, putting pressure on Ruddock, Ryan and McLaughlin. Conceivable that he could be a great in a few years.
7. Tommy O'Donnell
If not for the injuries that have blighted his career. What an impact he has had this season. Upstaged CJ Stander on his impressive debut, and has kicked on. Big year for him, should be involved in the 39 man squad.
Mentions: Dominic Ryan / Sean Dougall
8. CJ Stander
What a fantastic talent. This guy would be a Bok already if he hadn't left. Super talent, and I think his best position is at 8. With Butler coming through you might see more of him at 6, or potentially 7. But this guy oozes class, and will be a leadership figure in years to come.
Mention: Paddy Butler
15. Payne, 14. O'Hallorhan, 13. O'Malley, 12. Marshall, 11. Morris, 10. Hanrahan, 9. Marmion, 1. Buckley, 2. Annett, 3. Moore, 4. Stevenson, 5. Roux, 6. Murphy, 7. O'Donnell, 8. Stander
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