Storm says...

@5Lock4Ward

In retrospect you are quite right. Stephen Jones from the Times touted the Heineken Cup away games as trips not to be missed for the average fan. Boston is quite an easy hop and FX rates favor the Europeans. So, huge potential economic and exposure upside.

Posted 15:17 03rd November 2011

Storm says...

@5lock4ward

So, is that tacit agreement with me that if they can't make Red Bull Stadium work, Boston will fare little better.

Met NY union probably has far bigger catchment in terms of players et al than the New England union does.

I don't have a horse in this race, just don't think the concept is viable nor do I see long term benefits for London Irish.

BTW - my club the Gentlemen of Aspen were a charter member and won the very first Super League championship in 1997 @ Balboa Stadium in San Francisco. That league was supposed to be self funding in year five. We quit in year ten because we were still paying $120K per season to compete with no funds from the governing body. Subsequently Belmont Shore and OMBAC who were also charter members quit the SL due to cost. Point being, a fully professional league in the US is long overdue and no easy task.

Posted 02:40 03rd November 2011

5Lock4ward says...

@Storm, there are at least 3 rugby clubs in Boston I could name off the top of my head. They also have a team in the USA Super League (highest level rugby in the States) called the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. I was at the Churchill Cup finals at Red Bull Stadium 2 years ago and folks were able to openly switch sides of the arena to get out of the sun w/out taking someone else's seat, that's how empty it was. And that was an international triple header with all the USA's traditional rivals; Canada, France (A), England (Saxons) and Russia.

Posted 11:39 02nd November 2011

J_HDK says...

I don't understand how the organisers of the erc allow this sort if non sense if teams are going to tour don't do it with competitive matches. Maybe there needs to be an off season mini tournament as a showpiece in us and canada but not like this

Posted 08:54 02nd November 2011

Storm says...

Questionable move. Rugby is not big in Boston at all. New York at Red Bulls stadium may be more viable.

Posted 01:33 02nd November 2011

5Lock4ward says...

I'd be there, you can count on it. There are numerous RFC's in the New England and upstate New York areas that would turn out for this event. Like the article said the Boston Irish would be out in full affect if this game takes place. I think it's a fantastic idea and could be the first step towards helping the US get a team in the RPD 12 and eventually a pro league of its' own.

Posted 17:46 01st November 2011