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The Magners League could be considered the best rugby competition in Europe currently. This is mostly due to the success of the Welsh and Irish teams in the H cup.
It is the smallest top flight competition in Europe, however, next to the Italian Top 10.
Originally the competition consisted of 15 teams, mostly from Wales. Wales then consolidated teams, due to financial constraints, and reduced to four teams. Scotland similarly had to dump two teams along the way – Border and Caledonia.
Ireland have created and sustained four teams based on the traditional provinces.
Now as they look to expansion of the competition, two Italian teams are supposed to join (with some doubt coming in recently) and the WRU have had a long term strategic plan for North Wales for a few years. This would mean Wales would have five teams, Ireland four and Scotland two, with possibly two Italian teams.
Scotland, however, are also looking to readmit two teams once finances are realigned and reach a point of parity and following that profit. This could mean the readmission of the Border Reivers and Caledonia Reds. All of this adds up to thirteen teams, minus the Italians.
This is certainly an odd number. But what can they do: financial constraints and a probable need to keep it as “Celtic” as possible.
There are two forgotten Celtic nations, however: Brittany, in the north west of France, and Cornwall, in the south west of England. Both could play a part here (its sounding very Super 15-ish).
The Cornish pirates are the top flight team in the Cornwall region.
They have been trying to gain entry into the premiership for a few years now and have a large following in the region. There are regular rumours of building a suitable premiership stadium and continued growth through mergers and acquisitions with other clubs from other codes.
With proper development, and a good strategic plan, a change in direction could be achieved, making it possible for entry into a possible 15 team Celtic league.
This would be good for the cultural links, the English rugby community, and the Magners league, spreading popularity south and getting the RFU partially involved.
A 15th team has two options for this scenario, although one probably has little viability.
The Isle of Man has a long history in rugby, but does not have full sustainability in terms of population and popularity. But it could prove a good offering.
The most viable option, though, is a team based in Brittany, France.
This area, although in the north of France, and lacking a Top 14 team, has hosted rugby before (RWC) and has a growing following, as well as being in the Celtic League of Nations.
This is the most promising place if there was to be a fifteenth Celtic League rugby nation.
Of course, this scenario would be a long way off, with the Welsh only recently recovering financially and the Scots still in a bad situation. But if expansion was to ever take place, I see this as the direction it could, and should, take.
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