{"id":16356,"date":"2012-12-14T12:34:27","date_gmt":"2012-12-14T12:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=16356"},"modified":"2012-12-14T12:34:27","modified_gmt":"2012-12-14T12:34:27","slug":"in-depth-welsh-rugby-needs-to-try-harder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2012\/12\/14\/in-depth-welsh-rugby-needs-to-try-harder\/","title":{"rendered":"In depth: Welsh rugby needs to try harder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_16559\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 480px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/stadium.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16559 \" title=\"Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/stadium-300x137.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"220\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16559 \" title=\"Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/stadium-300x137.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"220\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cardiff Blues&#039; home ground, Cardiff Arms Park, has a capacity of 12,000 compared to the 75,00 strong Millennium Stadium next door<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Fears are growing that if problems in regional Welsh Rugby Union are not resolved, the national side\u2019s recent poor performances will become a regular sight.<\/p>\n<p>Confidence was high in the Wales dressing room at the start of the Autumn Internationals. Wales achieved a top four finish at the World Cup and another Six Nations Grand Slam. Captain Sam Warburton confidently <a title=\"Sam Warburton targets Wales autumn clean sweep\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20243605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">expected<\/a> to defeat Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>Now Wales are <a title=\"Wales skipper Sam Warburton admits defeat is worst of his career\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20569421\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">coping<\/a> with a humiliating whitewash and seven-match losing streak.<\/p>\n<p>The tenth anniversary of replacing the club-based system with regions approaches but problems with <a title=\"Cardiff Blues\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cardiffblues.com\/home.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cardiff Blues<\/a>, <a title=\"Ospreys\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ospreysrugby.com\/home.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ospreys<\/a>, <a title=\"Scarlets\" href=\"http:\/\/www.scarlets.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scarlets <\/a>and <a title=\"Newport Gwent Dragons\" href=\"http:\/\/www.newportgwentdragons.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Newport Gwent Dragons<\/a> are reaching crisis point.<\/p>\n<p>Is this threatening national performances? The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is so concerned a Professional Regional Game Board has been <a title=\"PRGB\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20603049\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">created<\/a> to oversee and judge regional impact.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16567\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 480px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/wru.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16567 \" title=\"The WRU\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/wru-300x137.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"220\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16567 \" title=\"The WRU\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/wru-300x137.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"220\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Welsh Rugby Union is responsible for the running all aspect of rugby in Wales: including almost 300 clubs, the regions and the national side<\/p><\/div>\n<p>BBC commentator Eddie Butler says, \u201cUntil now, the Wales squad have managed to divorce regional from international form, but there\u2019s no denying the creeping advance of routines and habits from below.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Au revoir<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Arguably the predominant problem is the <a title=\"Ins &amp; outs at the Welsh regions\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/17320489\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">loss<\/a> of players to big-money clubs, particularly in France. <a title=\"Dan Lydiate\" href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/rugby\/rugby-union\/club-rugby\/exodus-continues-as-wales-flanker-dan-lydiate-announces-switch-to-france-8386309.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dan Lydiate<\/a> is the latest to join the exodus and Toby Faletau may be next.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px\"><strong>The French exodus:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 150px\">\n<li>Jamie Roberts<\/li>\n<li>Mike Phillips<\/li>\n<li>Gethin Jenkins<\/li>\n<li>Lee Byrne<\/li>\n<li>James Hook<\/li>\n<li>Luke Charteris<\/li>\n<li>Aled Brew<\/li>\n<li>Huw Bennett<\/li>\n<li>Jamie Robinson<\/li>\n<li>Eifion Lewis-Roberts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16622\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 480px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Untitled4.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16622 \" title=\"Welsh players in France\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Untitled4-300x259.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"330\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16622 \" title=\"Welsh players in France\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Untitled4-300x259.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"330\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jamie Roberts (top left) has just signed a deal to leave Cardiff Blues for Racing Metro<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Players are being forced to prioritise between their pay-cheque and playing in Wales.<\/p>\n<p>The regions\u2019 \u00a33.5m <a title=\"Welsh rugby introduces salary cap at regions\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/16267538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">salary cap<\/a> and <a title=\"Welsh Rugby Union says Wales' regions 'reject' central contracts\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20001262\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rejection<\/a> of central contracts, used with great success in Ireland, frustrate players and fans alike. Leinster has won the last two Heineken Cups; making up five Irish wins since 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Jill Parker, Secretary of Cardiff RFC, says the regions, \u201ccannot spend their entire budget on international players who are unavailable for weeks during the season.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rhyl RFC\u2019s Secretary Keith Jones says players are not to blame for moving to bigger clubs but some are <a title=\"Wales' snubbing of James Hook is such a waste of talent\" href=\"http:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/rugbynation\/rugby-columnists\/2012\/11\/25\/delme-parfitt-wales-snubbing-of-james-hook-is-such-a-waste-of-talent-91466-32300585\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">snubbed<\/a> because they are based in France or England.<\/p>\n<p>Decisiveness is necessary says Eddie, \u201cIt\u2019s becoming clear the Welsh domestic game is losing touch with the European club scene.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf nothing is done, the steady decline of the regions and Wales will accelerate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Out of position<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Players flee Wales due to lack of money and coherent hierarchy.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16553\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 480px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Jpeg22.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16553 \" title=\"WRU Turnover\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Jpeg22-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"300\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16553 \" title=\"WRU Turnover\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/Jpeg22-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"300\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The record turnover was attributed to three of the 2012 Six Nations games being hosted at the Millennium Stadium, all with huge crowds<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In a year when the WRU announced a record turnover of \u00a363m, not enough filters down, says Jill, \u201cMore money is needed. The clubs are supposed to bring on young talent to feed into the regions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clubs do not know their hierarchical place. With all regions based in southern Wales and only one northern regional centre in Colwyn Bay, Bryn Parker, Secretary of Cwmbran RFC, states, \u201cIt can mean a ninety-minute journey both ways for some players.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This has affected school and club training. According to Eddie, \u201cSchools rugby appears a shadow of what it once was. The greatest investment needs to be made in development from the age of 16. The structure of schools, academies and clubs needs to be overhauled.\u201d Otherwise all teams, from club to national, will suffer.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16555\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 300px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/WalesRugbyRegions.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16555 \" title=\"Rugby regions in Wales\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/WalesRugbyRegions-250x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"350\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16555 \" title=\"Rugby regions in Wales\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2012\/12\/WalesRugbyRegions-250x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"350\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">How the four regions are split around the country<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Nothing to cheer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>National crowd support remains high but a report by <a title=\"The story of Welsh rugby attendances in the regional era\" href=\"http:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/rugbynation\/rugby-news\/2012\/09\/25\/special-report-the-story-of-welsh-rugby-attendances-in-the-regional-era-91466-31898532\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Walesonline<\/a> shows the regions\u2019 average home attendances falling:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cardiff Blues \u2013 7,775<\/li>\n<li>Newport Gwent Dragons \u2013 5,936<\/li>\n<li>Ospreys \u2013 7,863<\/li>\n<li>Scarlets \u2013 10,335<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Leinster\u2019s average in comparison is 26,152.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the Ospreys\u2019 RaboDirect 12 title last year, ticket sales and finances are dropping. Keith blames the quality of the league, \u201cThe RaboDirect is no proper preparation for international rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The regions have disappointed in this season\u2019s more prestigious, competitive Heineken Cup. The Ospreys have been the only winners, once, from nine games.<\/p>\n<p>It is hoped <a title=\"Judgement Day\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wru.co.uk\/tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Judgement Day<\/a> &#8211; all four regions playing in two matches back-to-back \u2013 at Millennium Stadium in March will boost support.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eddie Butler examines the regions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p><strong>Professional Regional Game Board<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong>The WRU are combatting the threat to the national game. After Price Waterhouse Coopers accountants published a critical <a title=\"Damning report questions survival of Welsh rugby regions\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20218179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">report<\/a> on the regions, the PRGB was <a title=\"New board set up to run professional rugby in Wales\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-wales-20605623\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">formed<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Four WRU members, four region representatives and an independent chairman \u2013 Sir Wyn Williams \u2013 will meet monthly to manage the game. There is hope already concerning their most pressing objective, the loss of players. <a title=\"Alex Cuthbert could buck trend of Wales rugby exodus and stay with Cardiff Blues\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dailypost.co.uk\/sport-news\/rugby-news\/2012\/11\/14\/alex-cuthbert-could-buck-trend-of-wales-rugby-exodus-and-stay-with-cardiff-blues-55578-32232377\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Cuthbert<\/a> and <a title=\"Dan Biggar to shun France and remain at Ospreys \" href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/rugby\/rugby-union\/international\/dan-biggar-to-shun-france-and-remain-at-ospreys-8324086.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dan Biggar<\/a>, who were linked to French clubs, are staying in Wales.<\/p>\n<p>While the PRGB aims to develop the regions Bryn suggests that is overreaching. \u201cWe can only afford two good regions,\u201d he claims.<\/p>\n<p>Wales aims to end their losing streak in their Six Nations title defence but being ninth in the world rankings and drawn in 2015 World Cup\u2019s \u201c<a title=\"Rugby World Cup: Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland learn fate\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/0\/rugby-union\/20572822\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">group of death<\/a>\u201d long term solutions are crucial.<\/p>\n<p>Regional improvements will establish stronger foundations for the building and maintaining of national success. It is yet to be seen if the PRGB will provide these improvements.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&amp;lt;a href=&#8221;http:\/\/polldaddy.com\/poll\/6768928\/&#8221;&amp;gt;Can Wales reclaim the Six Nations title?&amp;lt;\/a&amp;gt;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fears are growing that if problems in regional Welsh Rugby Union are not resolved, the national side\u2019s recent poor performances will become a regular sight. Confidence was high in the Wales dressing room at the start of the Autumn Internationals. Wales achieved a top four finish at the World Cup and another Six Nations Grand Slam. Captain Sam Warburton confidently expected to defeat Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium. Now Wales are coping with a humiliating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":252,"featured_media":16542,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[2867,2868,2869,2870,340,1059,2871,2872,2873,2874,2875,2876,2877,1060,702,2878,2879,2880,2881,2882,2883,2884,2885,342,2886,2887,2888,2889,1895,2890,2860,2387],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-16356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-active-life","tag-2015-rugby-world-cup","tag-alex-cuthbert","tag-argentina","tag-australia","tag-autumn-internationals","tag-cardiff-blues","tag-dan-biggar","tag-dan-lydiate","tag-eddie-butler","tag-gethin-jenkins","tag-heineken-cup","tag-james-hook","tag-judgement-day","tag-leigh-halfpenny","tag-millennium-stadium","tag-new-zealand","tag-newport-gwent-dragons","tag-ospreys","tag-prgb","tag-price-waterhouse-coopers","tag-professional-regional-game-board","tag-rabodirect-12","tag-rhys-priestland","tag-rugby","tag-samoa","tag-scarlets","tag-six-nations","tag-toby-faletau","tag-walesonline","tag-warren-gatland","tag-welsh-rugby-union","tag-wru"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>In depth: Welsh rugby needs to try harder - alt.cardiff<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2012\/12\/14\/in-depth-welsh-rugby-needs-to-try-harder\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In depth: Welsh rugby needs to try harder - alt.cardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fears are growing that if problems in regional Welsh Rugby Union are not resolved, the national side\u2019s recent poor performances will become a regular sight. Confidence was high in the Wales dressing room at the start of the Autumn Internationals. Wales achieved a top four finish at the World Cup and another Six Nations Grand Slam. Captain Sam Warburton confidently expected to defeat Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium Stadium. 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