Franchise departures remain a mystery...

DIDN’T take long, did it? Just a few short weeks after World Rugby – the non-governing governing body – formally hitched its wagon to the growth of the sport in the United States, two of the country’s leading professional teams have been chucked out of the domestic campaign for breaching regulations.

First through the exit door were the Austin Gilgronis, where onetime Premiership forwards Lachlan McCaffrey and Sebastian de Chaves now lurk. Next out? That’ll be the LA Giltinis, defending champions and a star-studded outfit by American standards, with DTH Van der Merwe, Billy Meakes, Dave Dennis, Adam Ashe and a certain Matt Giteau on the roster.

Intrigued by the franchise names? There’s nothing secret about it: both are owned by Adam Gilchrist, not the Australian cricketer but a businessman, from the same nation, who specialises in fitness clubs.

Unfortunately, the detail behind the disciplinary action taken against the two Western Conference sides is proving more elusive. As of a couple of days ago, Major League Rugby had said next to nothing about the situation. As for the Gilgronis and Giltinis, they’re staying schtum.

Which is just great for the rest of us. Exactly what we need from a “developing” rugby country whose rubbish World Cup record has not prevented it being awarded the…er…World Cup in 2031.

What first attracted the NGGB to a nation blessed with enough moolah to position itself as a potential financial saviour of a sport so strapped for cash, it has spent the last few years selling chunks of itself to private equity? Daft question.