Irish league 2015 season

[bowes]

Ulster championship:
Ballynahinch Rabbitohs
Belfast Mets
Antrim Eels
Portadown Pumas
North Down Gryphons

Leinster championship:
West Dublin Bears
Dublin City Exiles
Barnhall Butchers
Athboy Longhorns
Ashbourne Stags

Munster championship:
Treaty City Titans
Cork Bulls
Galway Tribesmen

 

[Evil Homer]

Are they playing more than 3 games this year?

 

[deal.with.it]

Looks good on paper

 

[bowes]

Not sure how many games, probably 4. Although Leinster might try for more I guess

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I think it's about time for Ireland and Scotland to think about getting a team or two each into the championship, I can't see the game growing unless they do. I know it takes money, yet the lower tiers are not the SL let alone the EPL, surely they could get enough sponsors alone to fund at least a team each?

Has to be done, at least then the players they do have have something to aim for and they can start making a living out of it, another option instead of the one Rugby code as it is now.

 

[bowes]

I think it's about time for Ireland and Scotland to think about getting a team or two each into the championship, I can't see the game growing unless they do. I know it takes money, yet the lower tiers are not the SL let alone the EPL, surely they could get enough sponsors alone to fund at least a team each?

Has to be done, at least then the players they do have have something to aim for and they can start making a living out of it, another option instead of the one Rugby code as it is now.

In an ideal world I'd agree with you, but to be hones the domestic games are so far behind Wales I'm not sure how practical it would be. Ireland have a decent number of sides but they don't play many games. Scotland no longer has a league, just a series of friendlies and only one really decent club. If someone had the money to set up a Scottish or Irish club I wouldn't say no, Ireland is more ready than Scotland. A club in the east midlands and maybe another one in the south east are a higher priority for me though

Wales for the record has 5 clubs playing a full season now at open age level, 2 pro and 3 amateur (the latter 3 all in south Wales). With a further 9 open age sides playing a short season (6 in the south and 3 in the north)

 

[yakstorm]

Scotland would be more practical than Ireland, just in terms of travel and geography.

Basing a team in the Scottish Borders or Galloway regions would mean the side isn't based too far from the heartlands so they could compliment their team with players from England if needs be initially whilst still giving representation to the 'country'.

It would also mean the trip from the likes of Glasgow or Edinburgh isn't completely unrealistic.

Being based outside of the bigger cities may also help the team get coverage within these Scotland regions, as a bit like the Crusaders and Scorpions their competition is limited.

 

[bowes]

Rugby union only got 1000 for a full time professional club in the borders so no chance. Aberdeen Warriors and satellite clubs pretty much are the game in Scotland bar Edinburgh Eagles.

I think if some has money and wants a Scottish pro team then Aberdeen Warriors would be the best bet by far. Without money no chance

 

[miguel de cervantes]

As much as I hate to say it, any funding for Scotland and to some extent Ireland and even Wales should be directed towards eastern Europe where for exchange rate and lack of union culture reasons alone it would probably bear more fruit in the medium to long term. Developing league in union dominated cultures is swimming against a pretty strong current with little gain for a lot of pain.