Welsh Rugby Stuff

[Big Ewis]

To keep things organised, keep Phillips discussion in this thread for now:
http://www.therugbyforum.com/showthread.php?31985-Mike-Phillips-sacked&p=600786

oh God, AGAIN....ok....awwww, Mike Phillips, what disgrace.....ahem....yadi yada;.....oh no, alcohol.....not the first time.....Bayonne....bleh.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

whats wrong with bayonne ?

 

[Bluemoon]

Wasn't sure where to post this but. What a massive loss Jonathan Davies is for the Scarlets. I'm actually very sad. Scott Williams and JD were bubbling away as a good partnership as well, playing in Wales. I can't say I am surprised just sad.

Will he start at Clermont? They have a heck of a back line, as good as he is.

 

[Draggs]

Wasn't sure where to post this but. What a massive loss Jonathan Davies is for the Scarlets. I'm actually very sad. Scott Williams and JD were bubbling away as a good partnership as well, playing in Wales. I can't say I am surprised just sad.

Will he start at Clermont? They have a heck of a back line, as good as he is.

He is a better player than Stanley, while Rougerie and King are the wrong side of 30. Good move for him, potentially. Huge loss for Wales though.

 

[Bluemoon]

He is a better player than Stanley, while Rougerie and King are the wrong side of 30. Good move for him, potentially. Huge loss for Wales though.

True. The idea of him and Fofana paired together is exciting as well.

I know it keeps being said but how can the Welsh regions compete when all of the stars keeping moving away. It's becoming a very, very slippery slope. I suppose from the WRU's perspective it doesn't really make a difference where they are, providing they can play for Wales.

Halfpenny is definitely next.

 

[psychic duck]

True. The idea of him and Fofana paired together is exciting as well.

I know it keeps being said but how can the Welsh regions compete when all of the stars keeping moving away. It's becoming a very, very slippery slope. I suppose from the WRU's perspective it doesn't really make a difference where they are, providing they can play for Wales.

Halfpenny is definitely next.

Not sure the Clermont wingers will be quite as excited at that centre partnership mind.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Horrific quotes in this that may explain the Welsh second half capitulation at Murrayfield. When the game is lost, why risk an injury by putting your body on the line when it might result in you being unemployed?

Wales v England in doubt as Welsh players consider strike action - report

Professional players in Wales are considering strike action due to inability of the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions to agree a new budgetary deal.

www.planetrugby.com

I'm sympathetic to the arguments but the grass isn't greener elsewhere, other than Japan or France. The money seems to be drying up in the English league and those English sides now have disincentives to pick players who are not eligible to play for the English national side (making them less likely to pay top dollar for anyone who isn't an absolutely top Welsh pro).

The WRU need to cut costs as they cannot attract sufficient sponsorship or TV money via the URC and 6N. If it isn't via reducing URC sides then it needs to be via player salaries. Given my above paragraph I think the lesser of two evils is to play hardball over salaries. But it's still a horrible thing to do.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wales online, so pinch of salt required etc., but this article says Cardiff's playing budget is £7.2m and being reduced to £5.2m
Where tf are they spending all that?? £2.2m more than the prem cap, even after the reduction it's still more than the prem cap

Someone skimming off the top?

Wales international goes public on his anger and family fear as career on line

The hooker has represented his region nearly 200 times but doesn't know if there are any more pay-cheques to come after May

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[Amiga500]

Wales online, so pinch of salt required etc., but this article says Cardiff's playing budget is £7.2m and being reduced to £5.2m
Where tf are they spending all that?? £2.2m more than the prem cap, even after the reduction it's still more than the prem cap

Someone skimming off the top?

Wales international goes public on his anger and family fear as career on line

The hooker has represented his region nearly 200 times but doesn't know if there are any more pay-cheques to come after May

www.walesonline.co.uk

Yeah, like 5 is massive, 7 is astronomical - and they only played a small percentage of the wage of the bigger Welsh internationals.

What's a first team squad? 40 players? 7m/42 = 165k average?

... and them pure dung for years with a wafer thin squad. Small wonder the WRU are saying enough.