ITALIAN SIDE BENETTON Treviso have confirmed their intention to leave the RaboDirect Pro12 at the end of the season.
A statement on the club’s official website yesterday underlined their decision, which comes “in light of the international situation that further prolongs a decision” on the future of European club rugby. The brief declaration also cites “the absence of certainty about the future forms of organization, participation and regulations relating to the RaboDirect PRO12 league” as a contributory factor.
As a result of those concerns, Treviso say they will withdraw from the competition on the 30th June, 2014, when the participation agreement they signed in 2009 concludes. The FIR [Federazione Italiana Rugby] president Alfredo Gavazzi recently outlined plans to pull both Treviso and Zebre out of the Pro12 in order to launch an eight-team standalone Italian league.
The fact that those plans are said to include academy set-ups for all eight participating clubs could be exactly what Italian rugby needs to take the next step. Balancing that would be the fear that not playing the likes of the Irish provinces and Glasgow regularly, as Treviso and Zebre do now, might weaken Italy’s international form in the short-term.
However, Treviso’s announcement indicates their commitment to the FIR and its possible plans. The statement mentions that the northern Italian club are “willing to consider, and possibly participate in any competition and/or challenge that the FIR intends to promote.”
Treviso’s statement also says that they will need clearer definition of the Italian union’s plans in order to commit totally, but it appears that if the Pro12 is to continue next season, it will be without Treviso at the very least.
What’s your take on Treviso’s statement? Where does this leave European rugby? What would your solution be?
H/T: Robert Cousins
