23 September 2011
The Tier Two nations need a helping hand – and a level playing field!
Feature by Damian Corbet
 |
There
was a lot of pre-tournament hype about Georgia
Just
looking at European rugby for a moment, the biggest problem for countries like
Georgia and Romania – both of which have strong rugby traditions – is a lack of
regular, high level international competition. Playing in the World Cup every
four years, and getting heavily beaten by the ‘big boys’, is simply not enough.
They need more high level game time if they’re to reach the level of Italy, let
alone Scotland, arguable the weakest of the home nations.
Georgia
and Romania play each other regularly in the European Nations Cup (sometimes
dubbed the ‘Six Nations 2’) – a tournament many people have never even heard
of. The competition also includes countries like Russia, Spain and Portugal.
Georgia and Romania have traditionally dominated the tournament (although
Portugal won it in 2003/4), being superior to the other teams by quite a wide
margin.
I
believe that combining the existing Six Nations with the Euro Nations Cup,
through promotion and relegation, would make the latter a true ‘Six Nations 2’
and would make for a bigger, much more interesting tournament. Georgia took
Scotland close the other week, and with home advantage in front of 65,000
baying fans in Tbilisi, I can easily imagine them beating Scotland. As for
Italy, I imagine they relish the prospect even less!
If
Georgia is good enough to potentially beat some of the existing Six Nations and
have a go at the top level of the tournament then they should be given a
chance. Scotland and Italy have no God-given right to be there – each team
should be there on merit and merit alone.
People
may argue that it would be unfair for Scotland to be relegated. Why? Scotland
would just have to try harder and play better in future to justify their place.
If
such a two-tier tournament was set up, of course Georgia may suffer the same
kind of drubbings that Italy faced when they joined the Six Nations, being
wooden-spooned and relegated, while the original relegated team, like Italy,
would probably bounce right back up. But the experience of playing the big boys
regularly would be invaluable for Georgia, Romania or whoever else finished top
of the 2nd league.
The
basic fact is that, until teams like Georgia get the chance to prove themselves
at the top level of European rugby – REGULARLY – they will never improve.
Keep an eye on ScrumFive.net to see Part 2 of Damian's special feature.
