WM: Any other whispers on any other professional signings for Eagles or potential Eagles? Are most of the team in Europe finished with signings?
TIAR: There could be one or two before the start of the season but mostly you might see people come in as injury cover later at this point. The Top 14 has already closed their transfer season ruling them out. However, it's been a very, very busy summer for Eagles moving overseas.
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Grant Cole: Will the ARP use a "guest player" allowance similar to the PRP's policy?
TIAR: From what I understand it isn't ruled out but I wouldn't expect it to be as widely used as the PRP. While the ARP still has commercial goals it's more of a formalization of matches that already exist on the East Coast. A lot of the talent is already concentrated among the four clubs so I would expect them to keep their same rosters with few additions.
Anon: Related to professional opportunities what is the latest from Grand Prix Rugby, Rugby Law, and United World Sports?
TIAR: Let's take these one at a time.
- Grand Prix Rugby: Nothing will ever happen here. The owner essentially is sitting on pro 7s and waiting for someone to buy him out or the opportunity to sue someone. He only puts out releases announcing something when he hears another group is moving forward with their plans. It's criminal the way he has treated the rugby community.
- Rugby Law: Their combine seemed to work well, especially for overseas teams. It looks like the issue over who has the players rights after participating in the combine isn't that big of an issue considering Thretton Palamo was able to sign at Saracens. Rugby America's Ted Hardy has a good piece on the NRFL in one of his excellent Talking Rugby pieces. The NRFL folks have said that Houston and Chicago will have teams recently but I'm not sure I would read too much into that. It's been several years now and the only thing they have done is hold a combine in which one player, who had already been capped by the Eagles and an overseas player, was signed.
- United World Sports: They are working on getting Super 7s ready for consumption. The trial seemed to go very well but now the question is whether a network will pick it up. Ratings for rugby haven't exactly been strong. We've heard rumors that if rating don't pick up over the next year or so that NBC won't be into the rugby business. For Super 7s who have to look at it from an investment perspective and right now it's not clear there is a strong enough market for it. We hope there is but hope doesn't always match reality (more on this further down).
- WAR (sjsuvc added WAR): Dead. Decent idea but it's not happening.
TIAR: The PRP isn't planning on expanding at the moment. There was some interest from Park City Haggis but they have a long ways to go in terms of on the field play and off the field organization. The Utah market it very tempting but isn't ready. Other than that there aren't many clubs that could put up their hand and fit the PRP mold. From what I've heard from the league there should be more webstreaming of matches next season.
As for the Seattle Saracens, what I get from the club is that they are very happy with their situation. Yes, they were disappointed not to earn promotion to the BC Premier League but it will probably happen this next season. Even without being in the BC Premier League they feel they get a great level of competition and don't have to break the bank to do it. If they were in the PRP they would have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to travel to Colorado and California. They would be tested by a few teams (probably losing a couple of matches on the road but still being a top team in the league) but would also have big blowouts. By playing in British Columbia they can go play a game and return home all in one day, even if it's on Vancouver Island, at roughly the same level. I don't expect them to change leagues anytime soon unless the folks in BC kick them out (doubtful).
WM: Any news on John Quill? Looked like he had a awesome season at London Welsh. I was surprised to see him cut. Any news on Shawn Pittman in France? I was thinking Danny Barret might have a chance at a contract after his summer performance. What are your thoughts?
TIAR: Quill is still looking for offers in Europe but if nothing happens he'll probably end up back in Ireland, which isn't a terrible place to be. He was with a good club last year that got him noticed. It's tough for players when a club is promoted. They helped that club get there but in order to compete they need to shed salary. As for Pittman, it looks like he's staying put, but again that could change. Barrett seems set with the 7s program right now. It's possible he's one of the first injury signings overseas.
RuggerUA: Any info on what the TV ratings were for recent rugby broadcasts, like CRC, VC, college rugby on ESPNU, summer tests?
TIAR: The Varsity Cup, which aired on NBC Sports, drew 100,000 households (I'm not the best at reading television numbers but I'm fairly confident that is accurate). That ranked it 28th for sports programming on Fox Sports 1 & 2 and NBC Sports from April 28th to May 4th. When you add in other networks it gets pushed much further down. I'm not sure about the CRC but I expected it did a little better but still lagged behind other events. Still, rugby on television (and we've had more of it this year than before) it s a great thing.
Garrett Jones: When if ever, will there be a national all star competition for 15s?
TIAR: I don't know you will see it return anytime soon. There are a lot of people that are clamoring for it, including some in the Eagles coaching staff, but with 7s increasingly taking precedence in the summer there isn't as much room in the schedule anymore. Unless you had it in winter, which would upset most regions, there isn't a convenient time. It's something we need but probably can't pull off at the moment.