Comments on: Paul Wallace: ‘Common sense must prevail to find format everyone is happy with’

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:44:29 +0000

I agree that, in the longer term, Ireland and Scotland will probably suffer more than Wales. However Wales may suffer much more in the short term. First the demise of the Regions would be much quicker and more dramatic in Wales and secondly, and not to be under estimated, the pain would be felt much more deeply in Wales because Wales is a rugby nation in a way that Scotland and Ireland – or England for that matter – are not.

In the longer term however I think Welsh rugby would survive much better, through the old clubs and some sort of arrangement with the English Premiership. Argentine rugby clawed its way into the top flight without any domestic professional rugby, how much easier would it be for Wales to maintain its’ position with the help/cooperation of the premiership? An option that wouldnt be available to the Irish. I know, it wouldnt be the preferred option in Wales but it would ensure survival of elite rugby at the national level.

Lets hope sense prevails and we dont have to find out the hard way.

By: Bill Burgess

Bill Burgess — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:44:25 +0000

As i live in South Africa, I can only see and try and make sense of this from afar, however it seems that it is a disaster waiting to happen which will have far reaching effects for all the home unions!

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 09:43:57 +0000

I’m not so sure that the Welsh have the most to lose, or at least not sig. more than the Irish? The IRFU are talking about financial meltdown unless their clubs get this money as well – and that is even with them borrowing £22mil over the next 4 years to fund their game while the WRU is actually reducing it’s debt (that’s a seperate argument though about which approach is better in the long run). The relatively ruder health of the Irish game would be addressed in Wales in one fell swoop if the WRU invested 22 mil over 4 years in the 3 (cos they’re not really sharing it out to Connaught) top regions.

The IRFU have been quoted that the current impasse could even lead to Ireland not attending RWC 2015. Now that seems hysterical but it’s what they’ve been saying.

Leinster/Munster/Ulster will not make enough money from just playing each other and without Euro rugby there is unlikely to be a Celtic League as the Welsh regions will probably fold. Also their top players will undoubtedly go to where the money and the top level competition is, in the same way that Wales’ players already are.