Biarritz and Bayonne willing to merge - the start of a new "region" era in France?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9058061,00.html

Afflelou and Blanco who were firmly against the idea of merging two professional clubs with such rivalry just a few weeks ago are now openly contemplating what seem to be an inevitable outcome of the growing budgets amongst the top14. They realised that on their own they cannot be competitive anymore... now it's is easier said than done as they would face a few challenge to make it happen by next year. they have mandated a couple of studies and audits on feasbility and expect some results by march 2014 which could mean this new super club could be in place in the next season. they will have to convince a majority of the fans to make it sounds like a worthwhile project though.

the most interesting part is that they see this new club as a true pays-basque outfit and would want plan to incorporate in there not only the remaining amateur sections of Biarritz and Bayonne (which would still play in lower divisions) but also other pays basque clubs such as Hendaye and Saint Jean de Luz... sounds more and more like the Welsh or Irish set up of regional outfits backed by amateurs/semi amateurs clubs. If that proves to be a success, will others follow changing the landscape of the Top14? maybe yes, one can see Dax and Mont de Marsan joining forces in the pro D2 to have a shot at the top 14 for instance...if that trend continues then the gap between those regional otufits + big city clubs vs the rest could well increase and the top 14 might end up as being ring fenced by default.

Can we have Breeeeewwww back please ?

munkian wrote:Can we have Breeeeewwww back please ?

No we want him!!!

Interesting. I hope that it results in a stable region/club/province/team that all the fans can get behind.

HammerofThunor wrote:Interesting. I hope that it results in a stable region/club/province/team that all the fans can get behind.

It should be interesting to see how it works in France, where they have very passionate fans. If this merger works then that could be the answer for the French to their problems with the LNR, go regional.

 I think you need a strong cultural identity to make it work though, at least as strong as the rivalry and history between said clubs. Could work in pays basque thanks to that. also Biarritz and Bayonne are of similar size which would help.
doubt it would be the same in most other potential regions though. If brive was to merge with Clermont it would be more a case of Clermont "eating" Brive and brive fans feeling left out...a bit like the valley boys feel about the the blues (well according to some of the stuff I have read on those boards)

whocares, yeah it is a delicate ballence of ensuring that nobody gets left out etc, but still it is an interesting scenario to watch being played out elsewhere, we can see if it is just the welsh that get their knickers in a twist about it or if the same happens over there. Also it could lead to other sides looking to do the same in the future if it does work out.

Oh jebus, I just though how frightening would the financial might of Stade and Racing be if they merged  

dont think they would as Stade has their stadium refurbished and Racing is about to build a mutli purpose arena.

It was a bit tongue in cheek mate, to be honest it is only failing/struggling teams that will consider anything as risky as this.

Has been talked about for nearly a year now.
planetsport .com / rugby/ news/ biarritz_and_bayonne_to_merge_516768/ 13-01-25

Cant link it as new member so take out the spaces

I think Bayonne mentioned this when Biarritz were doing well and they rejected it, then it was brought up by Biarritz and Bayonne rejected it when they were doing well.

Now both a struggling a bit, both seam to be interested.

Does seam that this is one that could work as they both represent the Basque region.

Just simply calling themselves Basque RFC could bring them to a wider target audience than either single club could hope to do, one of them payed matches in Spain before, and I could see the new team continue to do this.

Would the two groups of fans unite behind one team? How its done could be a major factor.

There must be thousands of disenfranchised Fans in the French/Spanish valleys waiting for a team to support....

munkian wrote:There must be thousands of disenfranchised Fans in the French/Spanish valleys waiting for a team to support....

they all waiting for the "Pays Basque Eagles" to rise, the one true region indeed

Interesting this. Of course Biarritz already play in Basque colours and the flag may even be on their shirt. So it might not mean a huge change for their fans at all. Bayonne fans would have to adjust a little more. A rotation of games with big ones at Real Sociedad over in Spain should encourage the fans to come out en masse.

Joking aside, this could be something certain Welsh administrators should take note of, a regional team is far easier to push for if there is already a natural 'region' there.

True dat

Well, a regional structure seems to have worked so well for the Welsh clubs  

It might be successful for the Presidents with lots of new TV money for them but it'll alienate most of the supporters. Afflelou & Blanco have probably seen Stade Francais & Racing Metro play home games in empty stadiums but keep their budgets - they realise that TV rights fund the club, not supporters
It's not about Basque rugby, it's about identity. Most teams have played regular games in Donostia, but in their own entity. It would be like Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao playng together.
Sadly rugby isn't about supporters now, it's about hard cash

It's going to be a real shame to see a once great club like Biarritz go because of money and greed. If this does happen it is a very dark day for Rugby Union.

No go

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9067979,00.html

There has, however, been staunch resistance from both sets of supporters, an understandable reaction considering the rivalry in the Pays Basque is one of the fiercest in the world game.

"The conditions mentioned in our first exchange are no longer present," said Afflelou in a statement on Wednesday.

"I cannot agree to take our club, which is legally, economically and fiscally healthy up a blind path.

"After consultation with the majority shareholders, members of the Supervisory Board and representatives of the fans, the conditions envisaged have not been met. I have decided to end these discussions."

Doesn't surprise me

I was down there in the summer and the rivalry is fierce

A bit like the talk a few years ago of Bath/ Bristol merging the same geographical area but not a good mix.