Ulster Bank League 2015-2016 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

The Lost Sheep

SA09 wrote: »

Trinity playing Naas in the Leinster league

Ah right. Had been talking to a couple players in Trinity squad who had said it was only a friendly

.ak

Pitch is progressing well down at Clontarf. I'm told the guys are ahead of schedule too - I presume the mostly clear weather is helping.

The Lost Sheep

Saw some of Trinity Naas at weekend. Trinity deserved winners in decent enough game
Leinster Senior League Cup – Section A:
Old Wesley 31 Skerries 13

Leinster Senior League Cup – Section B:
Lansdowne 22 Old Belvedere 28
Blackrock College 28 MU Barnhall 18

Leinster Senior League Cup – Section C:
St Marys College 17 Terenure College 23
Naas 20 Dublin University 28

Leinster Senior League Shield – Section A:
Greystones 25 Navan 21
Boyne 9 Bective Rangers 32

Leinster Senior League Shield – Section B:
Tullamore 0 Wanderers 18
Dundalk 10 Seapoint 10

Senior League 2015/16:
Sligo 25, Corinthians 19
Buccaneers 73, Galwegians 17

Huge win for Buccs. Wegians clearly didn't field a fairly full strength side... but still huge win and great boost ahead of 1B season.
Limerick Charity Cup opening round to be played over next few days

Bohs beat Bruff 26-13 in LCC quarter tonight

madlad88

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Saw some of Trinity Naas at weekend. Trinity deserved winners in decent enough game
Leinster Senior League Cup – Section A:
Old Wesley 31 Skerries 13

Leinster Senior League Cup – Section B:
Lansdowne 22 Old Belvedere 28
Blackrock College 28 MU Barnhall 18

Leinster Senior League Cup – Section C:
St Marys College 17 Terenure College 23
Naas 20 Dublin University 28

Leinster Senior League Shield – Section A:
Greystones 25 Navan 21
Boyne 9 Bective Rangers 32

Leinster Senior League Shield – Section B:
Tullamore 0 Wanderers 18
Dundalk 10 Seapoint 10

Senior League 2015/16:
Sligo 25, Corinthians 19
Buccaneers 73, Galwegians 17

Huge win for Buccs. Wegians clearly didn't field a fairly full strength side... but still huge win and great boost ahead of 1B season.
Limerick Charity Cup opening round to be played over next few days

Bohs beat Bruff 26-13 in LCC quarter tonight

What were Naas like?

Heard rumours that Johne Murphy is with them at the moment?

The Lost Sheep

madlad88 wrote: »

What were Naas like?

Heard rumours that Johne Murphy is with them at the moment?

hey were not great. Its not a rumour about Johne Murphy. He is In their coaching set up.
Naas were only alright. Will do ok in 2A this season but will be a bottom half side IMO

Braken

Limerick charity cup
Old Crescent 18 Shannon 13

ArmchairQB

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

hey were not great. Its not a rumour about Johne Murphy. He is In their coaching set up.
Naas were only alright. Will do ok in 2A this season but will be a bottom half side IMO

Tat will be interesting with VanZyl there as well. Agree re Naas and where they will finish. I heard Max McFarland back in Trinity great news for Trinity!

The Lost Sheep

Braken wrote: »

Limerick charity cup
Old Crescent 18 Shannon 13

Surprised at that result. Were you at the game? Any new players for either side? Were Crescent good or Shannon poor? Either side near full strength??

Braken

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Surprised at that result. Were you at the game? Any new players for either side? Were Crescent good or Shannon poor? Either side near full strength??

Shannon didn't have a full strength side ,a lot of new youngsters ,they got two late try's but Crescent about deserved the win

turtleshead

teams named here:

http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/old-crescent-shock-shannon-in-limerick-charity-cup-1-6924202

Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Kelvin Browne, Hugh Kelliher, Jack Cullen, Stephen Fitz, Greg O'Shea were all missing from Shannon, however most of the backs would have played UBL last season, the back 5 were definitely missing a few though but those who played would have had a Munster Junior Cup and Seconds League medals from last season so would have expected Shannon to win.

The Lost Sheep

Braken wrote: »

Shannon didn't have a full strength side, a lot of new youngsters, they got two late try's but Crescent about deserved the win

Who were they missing?

turtleshead wrote: »

teams named here:

http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/old-crescent-shock-shannon-in-limerick-charity-cup-1-6924202

Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Kelvin Browne, Hugh Kelliher, Jack Cullen, Stephen Fitz, Greg O'Shea were all missing from Shannon, however most of the backs would have played UBL last season, the back 5 were definitely missing a few though but those who played would have had a Munster Junior Cup and Seconds League medals from last season so would have expected Shannon to win.

How many of those will be playing AIL this season most weeks? Fitz, O Shea yes. Cullen wont if Davy is captain. Playing in and winning a Munster junior cup is a great achievement but playing against likes GQMcD, Brendan Guilfoyle is fairly different from the challenges posed by teams in MJC....

turtleshead

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Who were they missing?

How many of those will be playing AIL this season most weeks? Fitz, O Shea yes. Cullen wont if Davy is captain. Playing in and winning a Munster junior cup is a great achievement but playing against likes GQMcD, Brendan Guilfoyle is fairly different from the challenges posed by teams in MJC....

Still think they should have had enough to put away a team 3 divisions below them, Marcus will be worried at that result especially with the league coming fast.

The Lost Sheep

turtleshead wrote: »

Still think they should have had enough to put away a team 3 divisions below them, Marcus will be worried at that result especially with the league coming fast.

Wouldn't say Marcus would be that worried.
Crescent may be several divisions below but Shannon missing a few wouldn't help. They don't have such great strength in depth that they would be comfortably be able to defeat sides like Crescent etc in games like this....

Cork Charity Cup to be played Saturday. Leinster League Cup/Shield continue and there is games in Connacht and Ulster leagues as well... so most senior sides should have a game this weekend....

The Lost Sheep

Anyone at a game over the weekend?
Cork Con won the Cork Charity Cup. Seemed to have been a success playing it off over one day

No real surprises with any of these results bar Wesley and Clontarf
Leinster Senior League Cup
Section A
Clontarf 15 Old Wesley 17, Skerries 24 UCD 44
Section B
Old Belvedere 12 Blackrock 0, Lansdowne 56 MU Barnhall 12
Section C
Terenure College 30 Trinity 23

Leinster Senior League Shield
Section A
Bective Rangers 22 Navan 19, Boyne 13 Greystones 23
Section B
Seapoint 11 Tullamore 14, Wanderers 22 Dundalk 10

Ulster Senior League started this weekend
Section A
Ballymena 31 Ballynahinch 26, Malone 27 Armagh 39
Section B
Queens 21 Banbridge 45, Rainey OB 0 Dungannon 21

Opening round of Ulster Senior Cup is next weekend. Belfast Harlequins host Dungannon and City of Derry host Armagh
Quarter finals are then in October..

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Anyone at a game over the weekend?
Cork Con won the Cork Charity Cup. Seemed to have been a success playing it off over one day

No real surprises with any of these results bar Wesley and Clontarf
Leinster Senior League Cup
Section A
Clontarf 15 Old Wesley 17, Skerries 24 UCD 44
Section B
Old Belvedere 12 Blackrock 0, Lansdowne 56 MU Barnhall 12
Section C
Terenure College 30 Trinity 23

Leinster Senior League Shield
Section A
Bective Rangers 22 Navan 19, Boyne 13 Greystones 23
Section B
Seapoint 11 Tullamore 14, Wanderers 22 Dundalk 10

Ulster Senior League started this weekend
Section A
Ballymena 31 Ballynahinch 26, Malone 27 Armagh 39
Section B
Queens 21 Banbridge 45, Rainey OB 0 Dungannon 21

Opening round of Ulster Senior Cup is next weekend. Belfast Harlequins host Dungannon and City of Derry host Armagh
Quarter finals are then in October..

That's a really good result for Old Wesley - bodes well for their 1B league. Blackrock looking pretty competitive as well.

GavMan

Rock mixed up their team from the Barnhall game. Bit more depth this year. Probably see where they are at after their game with Lansdowne

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

That's a really good result for Old Wesley - bodes well for their 1B league. Blackrock looking pretty competitive as well.

Yeah good results..

Young Munster into Limerick Charity Cup final and will play Crescent or Garryowen who play tomorrow night
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/21079.php#.Veb6a03bLcs

turtleshead

YM have signed a springbok s/h a former u20 World Cup winner who has played currie cup, should be a good signing after losing Rob Guerin who is gone travelling and a few other backs in the off season...

http://limerickrugby.ie/young-munster-sign-springbok-scrum-half/

Stainalert

Blackrock 24 Lansdowne 31

SA16

Stainalert wrote: »

Blackrock 24 Lansdowne 31

Lansdowne try last play as well. Rock are looking strong this year. There seems to be strength in depth which hasn't been there in a long time.

ArmchairQB

Wouldn't read to much into any of those results or performances but good to see rock competitive again and should have a decent season

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Blackrock 24 Lansdowne 31

And Trinity beat Marys 14-10 and Marys won 2nds game 20-19.
Bodes well for Trinitys season considering they have world university competition in England in a few weeks and wouldn't have some back due to uni club etc.
Trinity were very good and look to do well this season...

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Wouldn't read to much into any of those results or performances but good to see rock competitive again and should have a decent season

I think you can look at certain things like Trinity versus Marys tells a lot...

ArmchairQB

Trinity may struggle early season good few injuries I hear, Mary's not at their strongest yet but have struggled to recruit in the off season but promotion will be their aim for the season but 1b will be a very competitive league this season. Wesley have recruited a whole new team again this season with 15+ new players on top of large numbers recruited last season with a lot of rumours and suspicion from others on how they can do so and still meet the new participation criteria, sceptical myself but if the union continue to implement legislation but are unable to police it then they can't complain. Looking forward to the season ahead now!

stellenbosch

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Trinity may struggle early season good few injuries I hear, Mary's not at their strongest yet but have struggled to recruit in the off season but promotion will be their aim for the season but 1b will be a very competitive league this season. Wesley have recruited a whole new team again this season with 15+ new players on top of large numbers recruited last season with a lot of rumours and suspicion from others on how they can do so and still meet the new participation criteria, sceptical myself but if the union continue to implement legislation but are unable to police it then they can't complain. Looking forward to the season ahead now!

Was at Trinity/Marys yesterday.

Trinity were missing Max McFarland/Tim Maupin/Brain Du Toit/Tom Ryan/Nick McCarthy all injured and then lost influential 10 Jack McDermott-first game back since last January-and prop Tom Collis during game but have decent strength in depth now with a number of last years 20s coming through into their first team now. Marys looked very ordinary and having gone 10 nil up were dominated in the 2nd half conceding 2 converted tries.

IB will be very competitive this year.

Stainalert

Who does anyone think will get promoted in 1B?

I fancy Old Wesley to win it with Trinity to get the 2nd slot but think Blackrock, Ballymena and Buccaneers will be there or there abouts. Don't see either of last years relegated teams Dolphin or St Marys going straight back up

Stainalert

Who does anyone think will get promoted in 1B?

I fancy Old Wesley to win it with Trinity to get the 2nd slot but think Blackrock, Ballymena and Buccaneers will be there or there abouts. Don't see either of last years relegated teams Dolphin or St Marys going straight back up

The Lost Sheep

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Trinity may struggle early season good few injuries I hear, Mary's not at their strongest yet but have struggled to recruit in the off season but promotion will be their aim for the season but 1b will be a very competitive league this season. Wesley have recruited a whole new team again this season with 15+ new players on top of large numbers recruited last season with a lot of rumours and suspicion from others on how they can do so and still meet the new participation criteria, sceptical myself but if the union continue to implement legislation but are unable to police it then they can't complain. Looking forward to the season ahead now!

Theyve a good few injuries and have a trip to England for a World Universities Cup to come... Marys wont get promotion on basis of yesterday
Wesley havent got a whole new team but have got another few signed up. Have plenty of connections to get guys jobs which is getting them loads of guys.

stellenbosch wrote: »

Was at Trinity/Marys yesterday.

Trinity were missing Max McFarland/Tim Maupin/Brain Du Toit/Tom Ryan/Nick McCarthy all injured and then lost influential 10 Jack McDermott-first game back since last January-and prop Tom Collis during game but have decent strength in depth now with a number of last years 20s coming through into their first team now. Marys looked very ordinary and having gone 10 nil up were dominated in the 2nd half conceding 2 converted tries.

IB will be very competitive this year.

Trinity have Oxford trip and games tuesday and friday week ahead as well and could lose guys their but itll be good prep for AIL

Stainalert wrote: »

Who does anyone think will get promoted in 1B?

I fancy Old Wesley to win it with Trinity to get the 2nd slot but think Blackrock, Ballymena and Buccaneers will be there or there abouts. Don't see either of last years relegated teams Dolphin or St Marys going straight back up

Wesley wont win it. Blackrock will do well but cant see Wesley going straight up

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Theyve a good few injuries and have a trip to England for a World Universities Cup to come... Marys wont get promotion on basis of yesterday
Wesley havent got a whole new team but have got another few signed up. Have plenty of connections to get guys jobs which is getting them loads of guys.

Trinity have Oxford trip and games tuesday and friday week ahead as well and could lose guys their but itll be good prep for AIL

Wesley wont win it. Blackrock will do well but cant see Wesley going straight up

Who do you think will win it?

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Theyve a good few injuries and have a trip to England for a World Universities Cup to come... Marys wont get promotion on basis of yesterday
Wesley havent got a whole new team but have got another few signed up. Have plenty of connections to get guys jobs which is getting them loads of guys.

Trinity have Oxford trip and games tuesday and friday week ahead as well and could lose guys their but itll be good prep for AIL

Wesley wont win it. Blackrock will do well but cant see Wesley going straight up

Wesley have signed this guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxZvsqglXU

Excited to see him play

ArmchairQB

Stainalert wrote: »

Wesley have signed this guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxZvsqglXU

Excited to see him play

Coming from having a decent pro contract to Wesley for the love of the game obviously! Nothing suspicious here at all

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Who do you think will win it?

Not sure yet. Too early to say. Buccaneers will do very well. Not too sure at the moment who may go up to 1A

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Coming from having a decent pro contract to Wesley for the love of the game obviously! Nothing suspicious here at all

:rolleyes: Coaching in Michaels. Had been on trial with Leinster a few years ago so there is a connection there. Could have been connected to Wesley then.....

Tarf1234

Last time he was here was with Tarf, but moved when he couldn't get work permit to stay with Leinster. Quality operator and will do very well for OW..

The Lost Sheep

This could go in its own thread but will put it here. What are peoples thoughts on this??

http://www.knockon.ie/2015/08/28/huge-drop-playing-numbers/

Anyone going to AIL games this weekend? Most likely will be at wegians Con on Saturday.... should be interesting to see how Wegians do considering how theyre pre season went...

thebaz

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

This could go in its own thread but will put it here. What are peoples thoughts on this??

http://www.knockon.ie/2015/08/28/huge-drop-playing-numbers/

Interesting read by Big Jim - I know when i played most big clubs in leinster could have 4 to 5 decent senior teams and then a few social teams - not sure what it is like now - certainly the peaking of provincial provinces fanbase through professionalism seams to have dampened the interest in the club gams from its peak in the 90s.

Tarf1234

Hard to judge the validity of the figures but from experience I would well believe them..

Very few clubs with more than 4 adult teams ATM. I know we have 7 (including 20s) and I know Marys have a good few, from what I have heard OB only have 3 this year and the same with rock which is way down on previous years. The fall off from school to club is very worrying and is probably the biggest concern... Also I don't think the way club rugby is set up is great. Far too much rugby on Sundays (which no-one wants to play), just look at the decline in the standard of metro J1 over the last 4-5 years. Should try keep it to Friday/Monday nights and Saturdays. Try out the NZ approach of play 2-4 games on Saturdays i.e. 3rds at 12 2nds at 2 and first at 4 or something like that. Would do a great job of socialising people amongst the teams as well.

The Lost Sheep

thebaz wrote: »

Interesting read by Big Jim - I know when i played most big clubs in leinster could have 4 to 5 decent senior teams and then a few social teams - not sure what it is like now - certainly the peaking of provincial provinces fanbase through professionalism seams to have dampened the interest in the club gams from its peak in the 90s.

Most sides any club has is 6 adult sides and Marys, Terenure, Wesley and Clontarf all have 6.

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Hard to judge the validity of the figures but from experience I would well believe them..

Very few clubs with more than 4 adult teams ATM. I know we have 7 (including 20s) and I know Marys have a good few, from what I have heard OB only have 3 this year and the same with rock which is way down on previous years. The fall off from school to club is very worrying and is probably the biggest concern... Also I don't think the way club rugby is set up is great. Far too much rugby on Sundays (which no-one wants to play), just look at the decline in the standard of metro J1 over the last 4-5 years. Should try keep it to Friday/Monday nights and Saturdays. Try out the NZ approach of play 2-4 games on Saturdays i.e. 3rds at 12 2nds at 2 and first at 4 or something like that. Would do a great job of socialising people amongst the teams as well.

Belvedere are down to 4. There is some cases of duplicate player names etc. Players still on system though not played in years
That system of playing all on one day is fine for clubs with numbers and
who play social rugby in cities where most opposition is fairly close by but for a lot of clubs it just isn't feasible to have all on one day or have games Friday nights or Monday nights

Tarf1234

Heard Belvo were struggling with their 4th team recently from someone who was involved in the past.

Agreed, plenty of people retired and still on it. However, a lot of clubs are reluctant to remove them in case they come back as often happens after a few years away.

It may not be feasible for all but it would be great for those it is feasible for. Any Dublin side should be able to do it, plus it would be great to try and organise fixtures so it was 2 clubs against each other for the day where possible. The thought of 3 or 4 games of Tarf v Belvo, Marys v Terenure, Lansdowne v UCD, etc. for the day would be great. I'm sure there are plenty of cases it would work for in Cork and Limerick as well. Doesn't have to be a one size fits all model...

Stainalert

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Heard Belvo were struggling with their 4th team recently from someone who was involved in the past.

Agreed, plenty of people retired and still on it. However, a lot of clubs are reluctant to remove them in case they come back as often happens after a few years away.

It may not be feasible for all but it would be great for those it is feasible for. Any Dublin side should be able to do it, plus it would be great to try and organise fixtures so it was 2 clubs against each other for the day where possible. The thought of 3 or 4 games of Tarf v Belvo, Marys v Terenure, Lansdowne v UCD, etc. for the day would be great. I'm sure there are plenty of cases it would work for in Cork and Limerick as well. Doesn't have to be a one size fits all model...

I think that is a great idea and would be a real shot in the arm for clubs - Branch have pointed to problems about not enough referees and wear and tear on pitches in the past. Would be great if someone took the bull by the horns and just did it.

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Heard Belvo were struggling with their 4th team recently from someone who was involved in the past.

Agreed, plenty of people retired and still on it. However, a lot of clubs are reluctant to remove them in case they come back as often happens after a few years away.

It may not be feasible for all but it would be great for those it is feasible for. Any Dublin side should be able to do it, plus it would be great to try and organise fixtures so it was 2 clubs against each other for the day where possible. The thought of 3 or 4 games of Tarf v Belvo, Marys v Terenure, Lansdowne v UCD, etc. for the day would be great. I'm sure there are plenty of cases it would work for in Cork and Limerick as well. Doesn't have to be a one size fits all model...

Issue is how to schedule games regularly for all sides to help with clubs having several of their adult sides taking on same team in same venue same day.

Stainalert wrote: »

I think that is a great idea and would be a real shot in the arm for clubs - Branch have pointed to problems about not enough referees and wear and tear on pitches in the past. Would be great if someone took the bull by the horns and just did it.

There isn't enough referees which is a very fair point and who do you have in mind as someone to "take the bull by the horns and just did it"?

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Issue is how to schedule games regularly for all sides to help with clubs having several of their adult sides taking on same team in same venue same day.

There isn't enough referees which is a very fair point and who do you have in mind as someone to "take the bull by the horns and just did it"?

2 of the Dublin clubs?

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

2 of the Dublin clubs?

However most clubs don't have the same sides in the same divisions especially since change to the metro rugby leagues not being all 3rds/4ths in the same competition
You could do it but most games between sides would be friendlies....

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

However most clubs don't have the same sides in the same divisions especially since change to the metro rugby leagues not being all 3rds/4ths in the same competition
You could do it but most games between sides would be friendlies....

UCD, Old Belvedere, Terenure, Clontarf & Lansdowne all in the same division - maybe match up junior teams where they are in the same league - won't catch all but will be a start - all except Belvo have artificial pitches so wear and tear not an issue

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

UCD, Old Belvedere, Terenure, Clontarf & Lansdowne all in the same division - maybe match up junior teams where they are in the same league - won't catch all but will be a start - all except Belvo have artificial pitches so wear and tear not an issue

That isn't a runner though unless clubs agree to do it and there is no demand for it. Arranging pitches is still an issue even with artificial pitches etc

Stainalert

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

That isn't a runner though unless clubs agree to do it and there is no demand for it. Arranging pitches is still an issue even with artificial pitches etc

Why isn't there a demand for it?

The Lost Sheep

Stainalert wrote: »

Why isn't there a demand for it?

Has not been looked at ever really and as season goes on and AIL starts if there is players who don't play 1sts on Saturday they will play 2nds on Sunday and that is then an issue when AIL sides are playing sides from other provinces etc

Tarf1234

This by no means needs to happen every week. If you look now Lansdowne, Terenure, Clontarf and UCD all have all weather pitches and with the exception of Lansdowne a grass pitch as well at the same location. So I'm not sure that is as much of an issue as it once was. Belvo have 4 pitches Marys 3. In fact on many Sunday you will see multiple games in both of those grounds.

Also the days of first team players playing seconds after playing on a Saturday are long gone. I'm not aware of any Dublin club, anyway, where this would be the norm. Surely big days out need are the way to promote the club game again. Even if it only happen 2 or 3 times in a year. Much like the Friday night lights happen now.

In reference to the clubs no longer being in the same leagues at different levels there is definitely enough cross over between 2nds or 3rds or 20s between the bigger clubs. I'm sure the same could be done further down even if it was just first and 20s. Anything to get a bigger crowd and more hype is surely a good thing.

SA09

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Has not been looked at ever really and as season goes on and AIL starts if there is players who don't play 1sts on Saturday they will play 2nds on Sunday and that is then an issue when AIL sides are playing sides from other provinces etc

The guys are putting forward valid suggestions here, why do you need to be so negative and try shut down/point out any potential flaw in their points, which, in my opinion seem like a great idea ..

Given the choice, I guarantee the majority of junior players would prefer to play on a Friday/Saturday. AIL clubs should not really be relying on any of the 20 players involved on a Saturday to play on a Sunday - unless coming back from injury/to gain fitness etc.

The 2/3 games in one day is a brilliant idea and would really bring clubs together.

observed

I've played in Sydney Subbies for 4 years and this year moved to a club that plays in a country division (Central Coast). The concept is simple but it would require a major restructure of the league.
Teams get promoted and relegated based on their overall club performance. It makes Saturday a great day for the club everyone is out together.
The club championship is based on a combinations of all teams points.
For example
1st grade 1 point = 5 competition points
2nd grade 1 point = 3 competition points
3rd grade 1 point = 1 competition point
Colts (U/19) 1point = 2 competition points
See the link below to help understand it
http://www.centralcoast.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?id=199593

Because the central coast is a smaller area we all play in the same division but the sydney subbies has up to 6 divisions with promotion/relegation based on overall performance not just your first grade team.
Subbies teams breakdown here
http://rugby.net.au/page/2015-Draws-Results-x-7262-132-656.html

This allows the strong clubs to move up not just the team with the most money in a division. When I played in subbies we were in division two and would often come up against a team where they had bought a first grade team but if the club doesn't have the infrastructure to back it they will not get promoted.
some of the main benefits of the system are as follows:
Strongest teams move up
It allows colts to get a gentler exposure to the game by graduating through 4th's 3rd's and 2nd's if they are not stron enough to play first grade straight away.
It stops 2nd, 3rd and fourth grade teams being out of their depth just because a club has bought a first grade team
It allows the social players to feel more involved
All teams together as one club
Great social scene and good crowds at games due to the amount of rugby on.
Referees back up too older refs will ref fourth grade then do touch for first grade
Club gets good money off shop/BBQ/beer due to the amount of players
Reduced cost for travel if there are 4 teams on a long bus journey you can do it in two buses instead of hiring 4 smaller buses to travel to four different venues

Some of the fears listed in earlier posts include
Ground deterioration
- Most teams in Sydney play on municipal grounds that are shared with Rugby League teams so there can often be p to 8 games on a pitch (I have played in worse conditions here than when I played at home)
Second team players don't get a game
- Because the second grade team is played just before the first grade game it is easy to back up and play the last 20 minutes of first grade etc. Subs are on an interchange system that allows 10 interchanges so you can bring on and off guys a bit more frequently.
Lack of officials
- Due to the games being in a single venue it allows officials to back up for higher grade games. This also allows younger referees to cut their teeth at lower grade before moving up.

All in all I really enjoy playing out here as it seems more inclusive and as I have got older and more injuries have taken over you can drop a grade and still get a good game without being left out. I often get called up to a higher grade to back up for 10 5 minutes which is enjoyable for an old prop trying to teach the kids a thing or two.

stars20

I know Terenure and Mary's for the last few seasons the 1st play LL, J1s play second LL game, then a junior team and a couple of mini teams play each other on the same day and it's a great day out and nobody has to play on the Sunday.

Tarf1234

Sounds brilliant, I really can't see how it the ref's is that much of an issue. There are 3 there on AIL days anyway. Through in 1 provincial ref to do the lower grade and that's plenty.

One of the biggest concern is the separation of people and teams from the club as a whole. I really think this would be an excellent way of fixing that. Every club in Leinster (with a 20s team) also complains about the difficulty of integrating 20's into the junior teams. Surely this would be an ideal way of doing that.