This week we heard the news that the Guinness Pro 12 will continue during the World Cup. This situation cannot possibly help the league or the clubs and regions within it. The Aviva Premiership will be on hold, so why not the Pro12.
Before I begin, there are some benefits to the league continuing through the World Cup, however, they are minor issues. The obvious issue is that the scheduling is simply too complex and some games need to be played then in order to get them out of the way. This is a fair reason as the rugby season is already jam-packed full of matches. Although, it does raise the question of Northern Hemisphere should switch to the Southern Hemisphere’s system. In their system the domestic league finishes in August and they spent the winter months playing internationals, the Rugby Championships and the World Cup in this case.
Another positive of this decision is that the younger players will get a run out for their clubs. There are so many internationals now playing in the Pro12, that the first XV of almost every team will be decimated, leaving academy players behind. Obviously this is great news for those academy players who are looking to make their mark on the game. However, the question is; who will be watching when they attempt to make their mark?
The few die hards will be watching and sadly that will be all. To put it bluntly supporters can only watch so much rugby and with the World Cup on, they will have had their fill. This is both a financial and social point. The tickets for the World Cup are so expensive that supporters will not be paying any extra to visit their regions. From the social point of view, if you have watch two World Cup games in a day at home on TV it is probably time get outside and do something rather that watch a Pro12 game on top of that.
So the World Cup comes first, it is a rare event to have this close to Britain. When Wales play their game against the playoff winner (likely to be Russia) on September 20th, which is a Sunday, it is at the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff Blues could easily have a game next door at Cardiff Arms Park, the gates will plummet for the regions as fans flock to the World Cup games. This is something that the regions and clubs of the Pro12 can ill-afford.
Take the XV that started for the Scarlets in last week’s game against Ulster. Of that XV it is possible that only four of those would be left next year to play; Regan King, Phil John, Johan Snyman and Rob McCusker. King will not be there next year so in fact make that three! The rest of that starting line-up has a chance to make the World Cup. The bench would not fill in as at least half the bench would be on Welsh duty, Rhodri Jones and both Shingler brothers could make the squad with a fair wind.
So the Pro12 is left with a handful of regular players and teams topped up with academy players during the World Cup. Is that a prospect that supporters want to watch. Let me remind you that the All Blacks are in town that month. It could be a dark month for the Pro12, and I would not be surprised to see record low attendances as a result of this poor decision.
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