London Welsh and Magners League in Brentford?
This story came up earlier this year but it has appeared again... it has been mooted that the London Welsh rugby team will leave the English league structure and join the Magners League - the professional league for rugby teams in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Brentford has been suggested as a ground.As an Irish rugby fan, I think this would be fantastic. The Magners League has the current European champions in Munster and I'm sure there would be lots of other Irish, Scottish and Welsh exiles in London that would only be too happy to see their teams in action here.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/6199419.stmLondon Welsh keen on Celtic move London Welsh beleive their future could lie in the Magners League London Welsh have revealed an ambition to leave the English league to join the Celtic League as a fifth Welsh region. The National League One side have written to the Welsh Rugby Union asking for a meeting to discuss the viability of making such a radical move. The club told BBC Sport they would fund themselves for the first seasons and play their home games at Brentford FC. "I think we would bring a great deal to the Magners League," said London Welsh operations manager Peter Thomas. "Geographically, it would mean the league would have a team playing in each of the capital cities, which would be great. "In terms of bringing in potential sponsors, I think having a club based in London would help with that. "And if you look at what we could pull in in terms of crowds, we would end up with very healthy gates." A potential agreement between the English Premiership clubs and the Rugby Football Union has prompted London Welsh to consider their position in the English club system. We'd have to be in a position where we'd be self-funding until we've proved our worth London Welsh operations manager Peter Thomas The deal would ring-fence England's top division by ending promotion from and relegation to League One in return for the England national side having greater access to the Premiership stars. London Welsh, who are members of the RFU and WRU, believe that such a deal would hinder the club's development and jeopardise its future. "We've got to be aware of the current change in the RFU and what they might bring in which enforces a natural change to our set-up," said London Welsh director of rugby Martin Jones. "If we could remain with the WRU that would be a major boost for Welsh rugby and London Welsh as a club." The WRU got rid of its fifth professional region, Celtic Warriors, in 2004, claiming they could only afford to sustain four sides. The existing four Welsh regions would be unlikely to support any expansion if it means their income from the WRU being split five ways. But London Welsh insist they would not expect any funds from the WRU for the first few seasons until they could prove that overall commercial income had risen. "We'd have to be in a position where we'd be self-funding until we've proved our worth," added Thomas. The other issue of concern to London Welsh is whether they should continue to play at their spiritual home at Old Deer Park in west London. The stadium is on Crown land and developing the site is unlikely to be given the go-ahead. Those restrictions have prompted the Exiles to start talks with near neighbours Brentford Football Club over a possible ground-share. "They've got a very nice facility," added Thomas. "A 12,500 capacity stadium, 7,000 of which are seated so it's an ideal venue for us."
Michael Robinson ● 7261d1 Comments ● 7253d