Barclays backs away from Churchill; tournament to Denver for 3 years

Barclays Bank has ended its title sponsorship of the Churchill Cup, leading Canada, England, and the USA to consider canceling the tournament.

The round robin instead will be held entirely in Denver this summer and for the next two seasons, according to tournament officials. The idea is to cut costs.

'One of the options we looked at was suspending the tournament for a year but everyone agreed that it was imperative to keep playing games, so the choice to move it to one city made things economically viable,' Rugby Canada chief executive officer Graham Brown told Agence France-Presse.

The tournament schedule, which opens on June 6, means the US will play 5 internationals in the 21 days from May 31 to June 20. The American lineup includes Ireland, Wales, Argentina 'A', and England 'A', making an intensive debut for the yet-to-be-named Eagle coach.

Ireland (May 31) and Wales (June 6) are 'friendlies', while the Puma (June 10) and Saxon (June 14) matches are part of the Churchill, which includes a June 20 finals round that concludes the sequence. Georgia or Canada is the likely opposition.

Squeezing so many matches into an abnormally small window may reflect the burden of assembly costs, while consolidating games in Denver will surely save money on logistics. The loss-making Churchill Cup is mainly propped up by the Rugby Football Union, and the British pound has been sinking in value relative to the dollar, making the endeavor more expensive.

For USA Rugby, waiting to host the six-year-old tournament once seemed prudent, in order to allow the competition to gain in value. Instead it arrives during the worst economic climate in memory, while the imperative to limit travel costs also constricts the union's ability to expose rugby in multiple domestic markets.

No matter the venue, the buildup to the July 4 and 11 World Cup qualifiers will create intense demands on America's test hopefuls. The US is almost sure to improve on its run of Maple Leaf results from 2006-08, but failure to capture the two-game series will exacerbate what looks like at least six weeks away from work from late May to July, since there would be further qualification rounds.

The May 31 game against Ireland could be played in Santa Clara, California, according to Ticketmaster, or perhaps Denver. The timing is aggravating to senior clubs, which will be in the Mile High city for the club finals, and a Golden State venue would further split the union's coaching and operations staff.

Last year, the USARFU controversially staged an Eagles match against French side Clermont Auvergne on the weekend of the 7s finals in San Francisco. The championship succeeded primarily due to the prowess of local organizers.

Originally the 2009 Churchill tournament was to be staged in the upper Midwest and Ontario. In addition to canceling this year's edition, there was talk of hosting the competition in England, as in 2007.

The July 4 Canada match too is to be played in Denver, according to a Churchill Alliance release, which was prepared by a Rugby Canada staffer, although union officials have spoken of returning to Charleston, South Carolina.

2009 USA International Schedule
    May 31        Ireland               Santa Clara, Calif.*
    June 6        Wales                  Denver
    June 10      Argentina A          Denver
    June 14      England A            Denver
    July 20       Churchill final      Denver
    July 4         Canada                Denver *
    July 11       Canada                Edmonton, Alb.
    * provisional

Related:
    Eagle uncertainty as 90-day mark nears
    Johnson resignation reopens past chapters
    Melville: USARFU pro strategy scaled back
    Johnson succession reveals USARFU dilemma

Comments

[Smart@ss]

Sources have stated that USA Rugby officials lobbied hard for all matches to be moved to the Albequrque (sic?) Balloon Park in New Mexico.

"We could think of nothing greater for the game than creating a festival environment in this rugby-friendly venue," an anonymous USAR official was quoted as saying.

The same source later stated, "Ultimately concerns were brought forth by the Ireland officials about the New Mexico location due to the fact that a frisbee dog competition was going to use most of the acreage during that weekend, which would leave us with only half a pitch. Apparently nothing is good enough for some people!"

Additionally, various reports indicate that USA players will not be paid any per diem for this assembly. All available funds will be used to fly in social league rugby league & gaelic football players from the UK & Australia who have Eagle eligibility through their great-grandparents.

[David C.]

I thought the same thing about fitting 7 games into a 6 week period with 3 of the games within a four day period. Sounds like a XV's schedule for 7's!! The circus AKA USA Rugby has done it again. Cue the music for these a** clowns. I feel for the players the most though. They're going to be dead tired by the time the Canada tests come around. I hope we have a good physio. The physio will definitely be earning their money those 6 weeks.

[David C.]

A quick correction so no one knocks me on it. I meant, 3 games (Churchill Cup) with only 4 days in-between each one with their schedule. My bad.

[shooting blanks]

I can't get over the fact that a coach has not been named and the Ireland test being booked for Championship weekend.

There must be a reason?:
1) Budget for 2009 has already been spent on the re-re-branding of the Eagles.
2) The conference call between New Zealand RFU, England RFU, IRB, has not taken place because nobody within USArFU knows how to set something like that up.
3) The CEO has been busy trying to sell Hawaii on a Super 14 team.
4) Trying to figure out how convince the next coach that they "really mean it" this time.
5) Select that date in order to remove any top American coaches from staff assembly or coaching positions.
6) Opens the door for American assistant coaches with no experience, which frees up some money for more Dublin consultants.
7) Direct competition of Elite rugby causes a major smoke screen so the sale of the Eagles to the Chinese can come off without a hitch during the 48 hour rescission period.
8) Simply to devalue our top comps because of membership insolence on this site.
9) Chairman Roberts dislikes the ethnic group targeted for hire.
10) Scott Johnson has been tendered and offer, but only if he can cap Coppedge this time around

[impotent soldier, win the war for America]

Those two issues were avoidable. Isn't 6 month time enough lead time for these type of things?

[3rd time a charm]

DC,
A proper Coach would lobby to use those games as pool matches instead of that crappy NA4. I hope that is the plan?, it saves money and builds USA A.

USA A should be playing all non-tests with real athletes.

This clown show just doesn't get it. Maybe they got this right?

[David C.]

3rd time a charm, That's a great idea. They talked about scrapping the NA4 not too long ago and to utilize that money elsewhere. We dont really have a confirmed USA 'A' side anyways do we? Shoot, I'll be happy when we do get a coach AND a solid group of starters and replacements for our team. I see so many great rugby athletes in the U.S. and I just dont get it with USAR.

[doug lyons]

While the Eagles schedule is difficult the upside is that a larger pool of players will likely get an opportunity to play and be seen - not a bad thing.

It would be better if the Ireland test was the week before so the Nat Championships could be unaffected. Failing that put the Ireland match and the Superleague final in hte same venue with the Superleague match as a curtain raiser.

This is a far better situation to be in then when the Eagles were only playing the occassional test matches. And scrapping the CC would deprive the Eagles (and Canada of course) vital preparation for the WC qualifiers.

With regards to the coach all reports are that he has been selected and contract particulas are all that are left to be settled.

While it would be great to have that person in place as of this moment it is better, in my opinion, to make sure the contract keeps this coach here through the length of the contract.

Getting the coaching situation right is far more important than getting it done right away!

With regards to the venue of the CC I have always felt that having the tournament in one host location is far better than bouncing it around from one week to the next. Denver has raised it's hands and wants to be a rugby friendly city. I am sure they want to make this work as lead in to getting the All Blacks in 2010. So there is a supportive communty behind this tournament. That too is a good thing.

[B team]

The Eagles will need to play so many new players it won't be funny, or they we burn out the team.

[David C]

Doug, Most of the college kids should be available during that time wont they? I think those matches would be a great testing ground for our up and comers. Great idea. I hope our coach has the same idea as you. I think we'll be playing Wales at a good time because I think half of them will be with the Lions. haha

[Flynn Hagerty]

"I think we'll be playing Wales at a good time because I think half of them will be with the Lions. "

Yeah, that worked GRRRREAT in Hartford. I think Tom still has nightmares about that - he sure was when I asked him about it a few months later.

[Flynn Hagerty]

Just had a thought - play the kids in the meaningless games vs the A teams, and focus on the Tests - Wales, Ireland, Canada/Georgia and the two RWCQs. You know, the ones with rankings points at stake and RWC qualification.

[David C]

Flynn, I can dream cant I? haha I became a fan about 15 months ago of the game. Learning alot though. Currently working in the middle east. Going to RWC 7's next weekend. Then moving back to states and going to the Wales game. Hoping to go to the RWCQ in Denver too. This game is addicting. It seems like we have many great players to fill at many positions, but just no direction from USAR in getting them in place. Is that the case? It's hard to believe we have a country as big as ours and not have an elite player base 3-4 deep in each position with some real good play makers. It must have been really frustrating for fans and players alike for awhile now.

[lucky charm]

DC.
15 months is plenty, chances are that you could run our Union better than the Invisible Man, the Roaming Gnome, and K-fraud.

I would vote for you (if we could vote), along with Fruitpie the Magician, and the tackle box guy (loved those - were brilliant).

[SL upgrade, trickle up and down.]

Flynn,
Imagine if the Eagle A was dedicated to only to our top comps (SL pool). And, we had twice as many games for USA A to play. And, we did away with that crappy NA$ (and it's selectors).
It uses the IRB cash more wisely, makes a better pathway and elevates our top comp. It also doubles the amount of pool players and American coaches into the MNT set ups.

Then, you would have dozens of top players choosing the SL instead of club D1 and D2, because they can't be a pool player from a lower comp. You could make an exception (those 4 teams in the Collegiate and D1 final only) but wouldn't suggest it. Our top players should be urged to play in our top comp. Taking a young kid from a low division and throwing him into the mix is a waste of time, everyone knows it.

You may miss some elite crossover athletes, but if everyone knew what the pathway was, they would eventually find their way up. The players that are missed could get on a pathway through sevens Camps or simply join a better club. Then instead of contracting, the SL would be thinking of gradual expansion. HP should be tied into the top clubs where they test and identify the unders. Right now half of the unders pool doesn't belong and we all know about the AAs.

If you are going to have an assembly or play a game, make it mean something, and let the MNT have a part in coaching and selecting the pools. There should be twice as many games, with twice as much work for our elite coaching staff. Our top 50+ players should be on the same page. USArFU doesn't make sense with what they are doing, they are actually competing against themselves, doing twice the work for half the return.

I am sure our next coach understands how to build a National team in the USA?

[Hmmm]

good news in the gloom is everyone else is being forced to cut back, making the USA's scant resources closer to the rest of the world.

There are millions being spent on rugby on the US. Just not in Boulder on silly test matches between 30 year olds. Army, Navy, Cal, Penn State, Utah are spending real money on facilities and programs. They are putting money to good use to further their squads, and are divorcing themselves from LAU's. This is the future of American Rugby, right in front of your eyes.

USAR's youth movement is smart in light of the investments at the D1 collegiate level. They should kill the NA4 and replace it with U20 round robins between the same countries. Further they should move it to the East Coast, a 4 hour, $199 flight from Galway. Boston, NY, DC have plenty of facilities and a strong Irish ex-pat presence to fill the stadium.

[Flynn Hagerty]

"Further they should move it to the East Coast, a 4 hour, $199 flight from Galway. Boston, NY, DC have plenty of facilities and a strong Irish ex-pat presence to fill the stadium."

So does San Francisco.

[John]

Isn't the June 6 USA V Wales already set for Toyota Park outside Chicago?

[Pelosi for CEO of USARUGBy]

SF also has facilities for:
Gender change, rehab, Pelosi's Botox.

I never understood the fascination about Hartford. The guy who claimed it was ideal because it was between Boston and New York, evidently had never been to Hartford.

I vote NYC, make it free for kids under 18 and women (no fat chicks) and you might sell 40k.

[Hmmmm]

Both NY and SF could support high level U20 int'l play. And support for that in both locations would be money well spent.

I didnt realize the extra distance in the flight was pretty small, and they fly direct from SFO to Eire.

[Flynn Hagerty]

Ireland's economy is in meltdown, holding a Test just so its convenient for travelling fans from Ireland is silly. Even more so when you consider that the fans whose properties haven't gone underwater will be in South Africa with the Lions.

San Francisco and Buck Shaw is as good as anywhere else that could hold it. It's not exactly an area which has been untouched by the influence of the Irish.

[not feeling it]

Who cares, we won't have more than 3-4k no matter where its held. This administration has made so many of us fall out of love with USAR and unfortunately the Eagles.

K-Fraud and the love mark has been re-branded WHATEVER.