A British League for rugby union’s top teams has been discussed many times over the years – going back to the early days of professionalism in the 1990s. The fact that it’s back on some people’s agenda doesn’t surprise Robin Davey. But a rapid turning of idea into reality certainly would.
Not for the first time in Welsh rugby, hopes are soaring in that an Anglo-Welsh or British League is on the horizon – accompanied by a huge financial boost.
But there are sticking points, obstacles and political machinations that mean anything other than an ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ attitude is probably unwise.
Hedge fund company CVC, who have poured millions into Formula One, are getting involved in rugby union and the latest suggestion is they are prepared to plough around £90m into the Guinness Pro 14 competition.
The company has already bought into the Gallagher Premiership to the tune of £200m and under their latest plan would buy 27% of the Pro 14’s economic rights for a one-off fee of £90m.
The mooted format would consist of two conferences of eleven teams with 12 coming from England, four from Ireland, four from Wales and two from Scotland.
One anonymous English chairman has said that a British League will be up and running in two years’ time while a Pro 14 source says the deal is 95% done.
The Welsh regions would surely bite the company’s hand off, for not only would the deal supply them with a big financial injection it would also revive the prospect of a cross-border competition.
For years the Welsh regions have struggled with a lack of support and little appetite for a Pro 12/14 competition with opponents of variable quality and interest levels. Crowds, not surprisingly, have often dwindled as a result.
Rugby at the highest level in Wales has suffered from the decision made in the late 1990s when an offer of five teams in an Anglo-Welsh League was on the table.
But there were nine leading clubs in Wales at the time so the WRU said no to what was on offer. For them, it was nine teams or none. Welsh rugby has suffered ever since from that ill-fated decision until now – perhaps.
There is undeniable enthusiasm in Wales among the regions and fans for a cross-border league.
Though clubs are no longer at the forefront here, after the setting up of regions, the possibility of clubs like Bath, Gloucester and Bristol crossing the bridge to play at Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli is a far more mouth-watering prospect than what is currently on offer.
The all-conquering Saracens team coming to Wales, for example, instead of the usual below-strength Irish sides would be so much more appealing and would bring the fans back, delighted at the prospect of the re-introduction of Anglo-Welsh derbies.
But there are problems and it is far from plain sailing, despite claims that a new cross-border league has almost been sorted.
Problem number one: English clubs are said to be lukewarm, and so are their fans.
They all see little in it for them and many believe the existing Premiership is more than adequate with its club rivalries, so they feel they don’t need an Anglo-Welsh or British League.
Problem number two: The Irish are not keen. That isn’t difficult to understand because they do very nicely as it is, resting their key players, all controlled by the Irish Rugby Union, and keeping them back for derbies in the Pro 14 and for Europe which, in turn, keeps them relatively fresh for the internationals.
Why would they change what works well for them?
Problem number three: What to do about Italy and South Africa? Would the Celtic nations simply cut the Italians adrift?
How would they get around a six-year deal signed with the South Africans after courting them heavily and welcoming the introduction of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to their competition?
So it is far from a given that the current system will undergo a radical change.
But the carrot has been dangled. It’s now up to the Celtic unions to fight for a deal that would revolutionise the game.
Wales, in particular, is holding its breath.
