Scrum V, the Pro 12 and London Welsh

[UKHamlet]

They've reported that Welsh are flying a kite for an entry into the Pro 12.

Apparently, there's a mystery backer with a 9 figure sum available if Welsh can find a ground in London and can get into the Pro 12.
I suspect this has more holes in it than a slice of Emmental, not least the shite crowds Welsh are pulling in.

BUT I think we need to make this happen.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million. Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

[Digby]

What's Hore being saying about the Pro12 joining the Soup 16 (or 17 or 18?) to give TV a product it'd want? Quite possible the story I read about Hore is made up nonsense.

[cadofyddol]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million. Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

I don't know the legalities of clubs changing leagues, but why can't Welsh just withdraw from the RFU and join the WRU for example and then join the pro 12?

[Which Tyler]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million. Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

I don't know the legalities of clubs changing leagues, but why can't Welsh just withdraw from the RFU and join the WRU for example and then join the pro 12?

They can - but they'd need to move to Wales.
RFU have control over the geographic area of England, WRU have control over the geographic area of Wales.

[Digby]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million. Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

I don't know the legalities of clubs changing leagues, but why can't Welsh just withdraw from the RFU and join the WRU for example and then join the pro 12?

I suspect teams like London Welsh, London Scottish and so on already are members of the SRU and WRU additional to the RFU. WT is right though that the RFU control the geographic area, and that to play outside the RFU comps would need agreement from the RFU as per WR's rules, actually it'd need the RFU's permission to essentially leave and too the permission of whichever union in whose area they were going to play.

I think if they want to move the RFU should allow it, but I can see there'd be some issues around gaining that approval, and some of those issues being valid.

[Mikeyv]

Anybody wanting to sink north of £100,000,000 in to the pro12 is certifiably insane.

[cadofyddol]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million. Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

I don't know the legalities of clubs changing leagues, but why can't Welsh just withdraw from the RFU and join the WRU for example and then join the pro 12?

They can - but they'd need to move to Wales.
RFU have control over the geographic area of England, WRU have control over the geographic area of Wales.

Ta.
Could they move to Wales, but play their home games in London?

[Digby]

I don't know the legalities of clubs changing leagues, but why can't Welsh just withdraw from the RFU and join the WRU for example and then join the pro 12?

They can - but they'd need to move to Wales.
RFU have control over the geographic area of England, WRU have control over the geographic area of Wales.

Ta.
Could they move to Wales, but play their home games in London?

Yes, but only if they get permission from the RFU.

[UKHamlet]

In order for Welsh to enter the Pro12 it requires the RFU's agreement. That isn't going to happen, particularly if someone's prepared to invest to the tune of £100 million.Short of a genocide of all English club owners and the RFU and anyone who might buy those clubs post genocide or a remarkable change in irb regulations it's a pipe dream.

As I said, we must make it happen.

[canta_brian]

Ship in a load of Welsh soil, then the games are being played on Welsh soil.

[caldeyrfc]

Not too sure about now but London Welsh used to be an affiliated member of the WRU don't know what that means in practice mind. Also for some strange reason Newport RFC were affiliated to the RFU

[Sandydragon]

Not too sure about now but London Welsh used to be an affiliated member of the WRU don't know what that means in practice mind. Also for some strange reason Newport RFC were affiliated to the RFU

I never understood the Newport connection to the RFU either. The WRU used to run a youth exiles team in England, not sure if they still do or if it sets any kind of precedent, I suspect not. I can't see the RFU being happy that any EQ players who turn out for LW could be eligible for Wales, or at least I think they could be if LW joined the WRU properly. Big barrel of worms here I think.

[Digby]

Not too sure about now but London Welsh used to be an affiliated member of the WRU don't know what that means in practice mind. Also for some strange reason Newport RFC were affiliated to the RFU

I never understood the Newport connection to the RFU either. The WRU used to run a youth exiles team in England, not sure if they still do or if it sets any kind of precedent, I suspect not. I can't see the RFU being happy that any EQ players who turn out for LW could be eligible for Wales, or at least I think they could be if LW joined the WRU properly. Big barrel of worms here I think.

Do LW have any EQ players remotely on the radar? And if they did they'd be English, living I assume in England were matches played in London, thus not gaining residency elsewhere.

I think there are a couple of issues with the possibility of LW moving leagues cross border. First there's the possible threat to AP game attendance in and around London, and whilst I don't really care about that I can see why Saracens or Quins might. Second, and the part I'd have a concern with, what's the precedent being set? That is who else could move cross border, could an AP side move to the T14, could Edinburgh join the AP, and so on.

[Sandydragon]

Not too sure about now but London Welsh used to be an affiliated member of the WRU don't know what that means in practice mind. Also for some strange reason Newport RFC were affiliated to the RFU

I never understood the Newport connection to the RFU either. The WRU used to run a youth exiles team in England, not sure if they still do or if it sets any kind of precedent, I suspect not. I can't see the RFU being happy that any EQ players who turn out for LW could be eligible for Wales, or at least I think they could be if LW joined the WRU properly. Big barrel of worms here I think.

Do LW have any EQ players remotely on the radar? And if they did they'd be English, living I assume in England were matches played in London, thus not gaining residency elsewhere.

I think there are a couple of issues with the possibility of LW moving leagues cross border. First there's the possible threat to AP game attendance in and around London, and whilst I don't really care about that I can see why Saracens or Quins might. Second, and the part I'd have a concern with, what's the precedent being set? That is who else could move cross border, could an AP side move to the T14, could Edinburgh join the AP, and so on.

Setting a precedent is the biggest pitfall. I'd be amazed if it could happen.