The Pro12 has been "working quietly to expand its reach all the way across the Atlantic Ocean and into the Americas," according to Iain Morrison of the SCOTSMAN. Plans have been "drawn up" to include one U.S. franchise and another in Canada in a "new league dubbed the Guinness Atlantic Rugby Championship." The new league is scheduled to kick off in time for the '18-19 season. Pro12 CEO Martin Anayi recently visited Houston, "the favoured place for the USA arm of the operation due to its warm location." However, the situation "remains fluid," with talk of one former int'l "fronting an Irish consortium" that wants a franchise in N.Y. There is also talk that Harlequins, which has a minority stake in Rugby Int'l Marketing, the marketing arm of USA Rugby, is "interested in the franchise." The Canadian franchise is planned for Toronto, utilizing the BMO Stadium, where Scotland's rugby team played Canada in '14. Two new additional teams would extend the Pro12 to 14 clubs and there are "plans to split those 14 teams into two leagues." The Pro12 is said to be offering a five-year license, although Celtic Rugby Ltd. retains 10% of the ownership, and specified a "long list of requirements of any potential franchise owners" which include:
- Major city backing, an "essential requirement" of sports franchises in North America.
- The "backing of the ruling body" (i.e. USA Rugby and Rugby Canada).
- A "40-strong squad of professional players."
- A "suitable" stadium.
- A management team with "the requisite experience" (SCOTSMAN, 2/19).