Brexit's weak pound will play into Irish hands post-RWC
The recent fall in the value of the pound due to the ongoing Brexit saga means that Irish teams in the PRO14 will benefit compared to their Welsh and Scottish rivals when it comes to buying in new players after the World Cup.
This is according to lawyer Tim O’Connor on Twitter, who said: “If sterling hits parity with the euro, it’s all bets off in the European rugby transfer market post-RWC.”
With the Welsh regions already struggling financially to compete with the Irish provinces who are part of an IRFU that recently posted record revenues, a weak pound will only mean that it is harder to attract new players.
One Euro on the currency market on Wednesday was the equivalent of 92 pence STG and with that gap potential further closing, the power that English, Welsh and Scottish clubs have in the recruitment market diminishes as foreign players will not be making as much in the currency as they once would have.
Suddenly, Connacht, Leinster and Munster, who use the euro, will seem a lot more attractive to players that are seeking to move to Europe, particularly at the end of their careers.
If sterling hits parity with the Euro, it's all bets off in the European rugby transfer market post-RWC.
Great to be Ireland, France or Italy. Not quite so great for Wales, England or Scotland.
— Tim O'Connor (@timoconnorbl) July 30, 2019
They will want to cash in as much as possible in their final playing years, and a weak pound will prevent that. This also gives slightly more power to the Italian sides in the PRO14.
Outside of the PRO14, the French sides will also become even more attractive. The Top 14 is already saturated with foreign players due to the higher salary cap, and if a player moving to Europe had the choice between England and France, with the euro and pound being almost equal, France will be the most likely destination.
A toilet currency! That was how the Brexit eurosceptic crew in the foreign exchange markets greeted the launch of the euro in 2000.19 years later the toilet currency is sterling, heading to parity with both the dollar and euro. Another triumph for right wing thinking and policies
— Will Hutton (@williamnhutton) July 30, 2019
Of course, others on Twitter have pointed out that there are other variables to contend with such as the coaching, location, infrastructure and the chances of silverware, but this does give slightly more power to the French and the euro-using Irish sides nonetheless.
There is also a ruling in the Champions Cup which says a squad can only have two ‘non-European’ players (excluding those from South Africa and the Pacific Islands), which may stop clubs from lavishly buying in players from the southern hemisphere.
Ultimately, this may not make too great a difference, but in the PRO14, a league that has been dominated by Irish sides over the past few years, their rivals will not want to give them any more power.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments