Italy's Magners chances take a knock

[beige]

The two Italian teams set to join the Magners League next season could be put on ice as the franchises are struggling to meet the criteria.

Financial and political issues are hampering progress, with a report and decision on progress expected in two weeks' time, according to the Irish Independent.

The internal political issues revolve around the relative strength of the teams, who would be severely weakened by international call-ups during the November Test window and Six Nations.

Then there are financial problems, with an entry fee of EUR 3m being demanded as a joint entry fee to cover the cost of expanding the league and the other teams' admin and away games, and a TV money contribution of EUR 1.2m set as a minimum requirement.

Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...870216,00.html

[Burgs]

Italy had chances???

[beige]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...896015,00.html

Italian rugby has suffered a major blow after Celtic Rugby announced that negotiations with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) had broken down.

Last year Celtic Rugby agreed in principle to the possible enlargement of the Magners League through the addition of two Italian teams subject to certain conditions being met in terms of commercial, finance, playing standards and playing/spectator facilities.

Celtic Rugby had engaged Deloitte to conduct a comprehensive "due diligence" process to satisfy the shareholders and existing clubs in the competition of the feasibility, financial and otherwise of this structural change to the Magners League and in particular to ensure there was no resulting net cost to the existing ten clubs.

But following an extensive process that involved consultations with FIR and its nominated clubs, the existing Magners League participants and Celtic Rugby, Deloitte provided a report to Celtic Rugby in December 2009, clarifying the various parameters that had been met and that would need to be met.

Despite extensive discussions between Celtic Rugby and FIR over the past two months, it has not been possible to reach several satisfactory agreements by the deadline set.