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Trouble in Wales?
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<blockquote data-quote="bushytop" data-source="post: 934516" data-attributes="member: 56738"><p>I have heard disturbing rumours about the state of affairs at the Ospreys... and have a feeling AWJ was quite so emotional yesterday (in tears as he 'waved' at the crowd post-match seemed 'more' than just as a result of the victory) as a result of the situation.</p><p></p><p>I think by refusing the merger, the O's are hoping to force the WRU's hand into taking on the region like at the Dragons.</p><p></p><p>My opinion is Wales need four regions... the more opportunities for young Welsh players to play competitive matches the better, even if that means the Regions are struggling. I also believe that the WRU have an obligation to provide four competitive 'teams' into the Pro 14 and European competitions.</p><p></p><p>In the long run, unless a new and considerable financial stream becomes available, which seems unlikely our regions may have to simply be for homegrown talent on their way up. This will lead to the odd couple of seasons where a region or two (like the Scarlets of 2016-17) will bring through a decent number of young talent that is cheap to field and be highly competitive. Then the talent that achieved that will for the most part sign big deals in France and England (& you heard it here first... Ireland) and the region will start to suffer once more.</p><p></p><p>If this does turn out to be the case, Wales would then have to reverse the 60 cap rule and operate more like Scotland and simply play their stars regardless of which league they operate in, which would imho have a pretty significant detrimental effect on the Wales team. So not great but a more than possible reality for the regional game in Wales moving forward.</p><p></p><p>Unless the WRU eventually ends up 'owning' all four regions (a way down the line I'll give you) and is able to siphon off a little more of the turn over to the Regions' operating costs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bushytop, post: 934516, member: 56738"] I have heard disturbing rumours about the state of affairs at the Ospreys... and have a feeling AWJ was quite so emotional yesterday (in tears as he ‘waved’ at the crowd post-match seemed ‘more’ than just as a result of the victory) as a result of the situation. I think by refusing the merger, the O’s are hoping to force the WRU’s hand into taking on the region like at the Dragons. My opinion is Wales need four regions... the more opportunities for young Welsh players to play competitive matches the better, even if that means the Regions are struggling. I also believe that the WRU have an obligation to provide four competitive ‘teams’ into the Pro 14 and European competitions. In the long run, unless a new and considerable financial stream becomes available, which seems unlikely our regions may have to simply be for homegrown talent on their way up. This will lead to the odd couple of seasons where a region or two (like the Scarlets of 2016-17) will bring through a decent number of young talent that is cheap to field and be highly competitive. Then the talent that achieved that will for the most part sign big deals in France and England (& you heard it here first... Ireland) and the region will start to suffer once more. If this does turn out to be the case, Wales would then have to reverse the 60 cap rule and operate more like Scotland and simply play their stars regardless of which league they operate in, which would imho have a pretty significant detrimental effect on the Wales team. So not great but a more than possible reality for the regional game in Wales moving forward. Unless the WRU eventually ends up ‘owning’ all four regions (a way down the line I’ll give you) and is able to siphon off a little more of the turn over to the Regions’ operating costs. [/QUOTE]
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