URC 2023/2024 Round 2

[dirty harry]

I was more referring to your surprise at my comment at our lack of consistency. For me it's always been about squad depth across a season that has been the problem. When the pro teams have done well it's when they've had a consistently strong squad in a season (and a bit of luck with a lack of injuries), but generally that's never been backed up season on season because we haven't been able to maintain that.

Loads of reasons for that but we've won some major trophys as a group since we've become 4, but that's become less sustainable over time, possibly due to a lack of finance, poor governance and interest in other sports at club and school level.

I would agree with you about squads, we cant maintain high quality squads, or I should say we couldnt maintain high quality squads, because currently we have a high quality 4/5 players, middling first teamers and squad fillers.

I disagree about the trophies, Cardiff won the old Amlin, Scarlets Celtic league, but they were years ago, and the teams have declined year on year.

We have been on a steady decline since the inception of regional rugby, all those who knew it wouldnt work were probably right when we look back. Ultimately we are sliding to tier 2, not just the club element, but the lack of development.

I have worked in development in 2 reasons, I've seen the heads and the academy managers, I've seen the brother in laws put in development positions because they are brother in laws, I've seen ex players occupy key roles with absolutely zero qualification and experience for the role, I've interviewed against them chatted and been embarrassed by the lack of knowledge. Granted I got out of that 7 years ago, but if it's still run anywhere near as bad, which everyone seems to think, we are doomed.

I fear for Welsh rugby.

 

[Bluemoon]

I would agree with you about squads, we cant maintain high quality squads, or I should say we couldnt maintain high quality squads, because currently we have a high quality 4/5 players, middling first teamers and squad fillers.

I disagree about the trophies, Cardiff won the old Amlin, Scarlets Celtic league, but they were years ago, and the teams have declined year on year.

We have been on a steady decline since the inception of regional rugby, all those who knew it wouldnt work were probably right when we look back. Ultimately we are sliding to tier 2, not just the club element, but the lack of development.

I have worked in development in 2 reasons, I've seen the heads and the academy managers, I've seen the brother in laws put in development positions because they are brother in laws, I've seen ex players occupy key roles with absolutely zero qualification and experience for the role, I've interviewed against them chatted and been embarrassed by the lack of knowledge. Granted I got out of that 7 years ago, but if it's still run anywhere near as bad, which everyone seems to think, we are doomed.

I fear for Welsh rugby.

As much as I don't mind imagining the Ospreys didn't exist , I think the Ospreys winning the league four times and the Scarlets twice since 2004 is major to me. Cardiff have won the Challenge Cup twice playing really decent rugby and quality opposition in the KOs. The pro clubs have been in the knockouts of the H Cup until recently, occasionally falling at the SF hurdle and could have gone a bit further in some cases. They'e done a lot better than the Scots in that period but we are super inconsistent.

Im not denying that things aren't looking bad right now, the WRU's newly imposed wage cap is killing the clubs and next year most of the high earners will be gone. There's a number of factors of why we are where we are and we've got to think creatively about them rather than accepting dooms day.