Definitely worth considering.
PRO14 and Aviva Premiership officials may openly rail against this notion, but take a moment to consider the glorious possibilities.
In the wake of England ending up with no representatives in the last four of the Champions Cup, claims of top players being burnt out, and some worrying financial valuations, rugby lovers across the water are involved in a period of introspection.
Some have pressed for the English RFU to replicate the central contract system that has done so well for Ireland over the past decade while others want the Premiership to ‘ring fence’ its’ top sides so they don’t have to fret about promotion/relegation. Others are talking about focusing on the domestic league and limiting England’s Champions Cup participants to four sides.
Robert Kitson has struck upon an idea that would certainly appeal to many rugby supporters on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Writing in The Guardian, Kitson proposes a two-tiered competition featuring the best and brightest of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. He states:
‘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.’
This is how Kitson would divvy up the talent [with a 12th spot in Tier Two possibly going to an Italian or South African franchise as a “short-term” solution].
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
While it is a long way off ever happening – both the PRO14 and Premiership are tied into TV deals, to start – the prospect of sparking sustained rivalries against the likes of Saracens and Leicester Tigers will appeal to many. Flights to the likes of London and Newcastle, rather than Parma and Bloemfontein.
Connacht may quibble about being lumped into Tier Two after winning the PRO12 back in May 2016 but such a proposal would never satisfy each club, or province.
The notional ‘Big League’ may attract bigger TV money but it would go a long way towards ensuring clubs have a greater say of fixtures and player availability. Considering Ireland are just off the back of a Grand Slam campaign, with central contracts playing a key role, it remains to be seen whether the IRFU would be as eager to plough ahead as other unions.
