I can’t help thinking if I still lived in wales I’d go watch a few games.
Thats part of the problem isnt it, those that live there cant afford it!!
Apparently they're safe for the 19/20 season, not so sure after that though.
Looks like the English Premiership will be expanded in a couple of years time too.
There is something here I really do not get. It seems the ( some? many?)welsh fans really do not like the pro 14. ( I am on a rugby forum and its worse on there than here) all the other nations fans enjy it and the fine rugby it produces.
Can anyone explain?
Seems like the welsh fans want to join the english league - something that is not going to happen as it would mean english teams dropping out. the pro 14 is the only game in town for them. constant bleating about being underfunded dispite having bigger budgets than the italians and the same as the scots ( bar Dragons)
Anyone?
Dunno. Is it to do with the 'regions' not really representing the club game prior to professionalism/the creation of the 'celtic league'?
I've just read online somewhere that another 2 or 3 of the SA club teams want to leave Super Rugby and join the Pro14?!
Maybe the Welsh regions can join Super Rugby instead 😂
It seems the ( some? many?)welsh fans really do not like the pro 14.
Could be because so many fans aren’t represented by a region. Despite the Ospreys being so close they’ve never felt like my club. Maybe because they had to kowtow so much to the Neath fans at the start? (There was quite a different culture between Swansea and Neath fans so it didn’t make a good marriage.) Theres also significant resentment about Llanelli and Cardiff carrying on as they were without any disruption (Dragons as well, I suppose.) while the valleys and Bridgend area are now completely unrepresented. And pushing through a north Wales region while sacrificing a South Wales one is ridiculous.
Discussions are in place to have 2 more SA teams.
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are newly created teams. Glasgow regularly sell out their admittedly smallish ground ( 10 000 iirc?) Edinburgh attendences are poorer for most league games
The thing is there is no alternative for welsh teams other than going it alone. Is it really as simple as tribalism?
Maybe, TJ. I honestly don’t know. I don’t think it’s money - the tickets aren’t overly expensive, and people around here seem to find money for other stuff equally expensive.
There is something here I really do not get.
Yes, poverty.
The study shows that 710,000 people in Wales are now living in relative poverty – meaning their household whose income, after housing costs, is less than 60 per cent of median income. This figure includes 185,000 children, 405,000 working-age adults and 120,000 pensioners, making Wales the most poverty-stricken nation in the UK.
But why would that make the fans hate the pro 14 so much? Not attending games maybe but is it any worse than Glasgow?
To be fair the majority, of a small number, of Scottish borders fans don't support Edinburgh or even travel up to see them and get really annoyed with sru foisting pro players on clubs. Farndale to gala when he should be accies as an example.
But why would that make the fans hate the pro 14 so much?
Because they can afford to pay £5 to see Neath play Maesteg.
Because they can afford to pay £5 to see Neath play Maesteg.
It’s a tenner to watch Swansea play but nobody goes to that level of game. Perhaps apart from Pontypridd fans at home? I go to two or three games a season and the crowd could probably fit in a small pub.
It did occur to me that moving games from 2.30 on a Saturday afternoon means that there is less of a social element. I’m less likely to have a few pints with my friends if I’m rushing to the game on a Friday evening, and then getting home at 10, if I leave as soon as the game finishes. And the reason I only see a few Swansea games is because the timetable is all over the place. There are often weeks between home games. No routine!
The WRU don’t seem to want to promote rugby at any level below the national team.
onehundred - true - the same happened with the borders - they wouldn't go to a pro 14 team prefering to stick with the local clubs.
It’s a tenner to watch Swansea play but nobody goes to that level of game. Perhaps apart from Pontypridd fans at home? I go to two or three games a season and the crowd could probably fit in a small pub.
Its a catch 22 though isnt it. Why go if no Wales players are involved and its not the top game in the village?
I still dunno how much it costs to go see a pro 14 game in wales. I’ll google it. I guess my thoughts were why not make it cheaper and push it, if it’s half the price would you get twice as many in attendance? Prob doesn’t help the new tv deal making pay per view access to pro 14.
I think a huge issue for the Ospreys is playing at the Liberty, doesn’t suit rugby and is devoid of atmosphere.
Saracens in a bit of a squeaky bum time over salary cap, I gather.
I'm not so sure, everyone knew that they were doing it....
Two Fail journos took what, 4 months to come up with the names of 4 companies that are listed publicly?!
Seems to have gained some traction because fatty Goode has been tweeting about it.....his got into a beef with Jamie George so clear what his motives are
House and company co ownership, etc. Looks shady.
I suspect everyone is at it, though.
Nel, Watson and Russell back for Scotland. Those 3 are huge upgrades. 1/2p back fit for selection doubt he'll play though.
Could be a good game.
Nel, Watson and Russell back for Scotland. Those 3 are huge upgrades.
I’m getting more uneasy about the Scotland v Wales game. How’s Hogg?
Hogg still broke.
Its OK guys - the way our season is going right now several players will spontaneously combust between now and kickoff and at least one will have an argument with himself and lose the fight
Doing the rounds currently.
An utter cluster.
This may be the most stupid thing that I ever say, but is that WhatsApp pic a serious convo, or a spoof that I don't understand?
is that WhatsApp pic a serious convo, or a spoof that I don’t understand?
I cant tell either, not spoof but could well be fake
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47443612
I don't understand why they're not considering a Blues-Dragons merger, given that Dragons have already proved to be financially non-viable (also rugby non-viable!)
That would make a load of sense. Would make a Welsh super region in south East that might tempt fans back from North of Cardiff if they could get some regional identity and a bit of success.
Would be a proper rival to the west Wales merger team too.
The North Wales region could then work if the East and West super regions support it by sending younger players out for loan experience, but like a more minor "growth" region.
You'd have more players, and better players concentrated in two super region teams that might challenge European success and might re ignite a bit of excitement in the fans. And North Wales would get to see the next big thing generation coming through first
Easy
With the Scarlets ? FFS 🤮. Well that flat out sucks
Because Swansea and Llanelli have always had a history of love and co-operation.
Who exactly are the WRU representing? Certainly not the fans.
Still, at least I can watch Super Rugby on Sky when there is none of the laughably described ‘national sport’ being played locally.
With the Scarlets ? FFS 🤮. Well that flat out sucks
Could you imagine AWJ finishing his playing days with Scarlets, it would be like Giggs finishing his career with Man City!!!
And whose bright idea was it to shift the players focus to jobs, money and mortgages during the six nations!!!
Who exactly are the WRU representing?
Welsh FA I think!!!
Exactly! Potential grand slam on the cards, two tough games to come.....on way it can get better is if Wayne Pivac drops out and you name Andy Robinson as coach!!!
Maitland and Harris out for Scotland now!!!!
Wales team is as England except for Beard to 4 as BIL Hill is broken. Jake Ball onto bench
The Ospreys/Scarlets merger (takeover) is a mess! How unlike the WRU 😕
Itoje injured in training. Ffs, Jones really likes to push them - he’s not that important for Italy, he could have waited...
Ospreys and Scarlets merger is 'off the table' apparently.
Must be great to be AWJ, one of the all time greatest, final few years of his career and no idea at all about a contract!
Itoje injured in training. Ffs, Jones really likes to push them – he’s not that important for Italy, he could have waited…
Except that isn’t the case this time; he slipped trying to avoid running into Eddie who was stood under the posts. No silly judo etc. This time it really does sound like one of those things.
Wonder if Italy have been studying the laws again? Interesting listening to the Beeb rugby podcast yesterday; Ugo had the heads up from talking to COS that Italy were going do something and he had to stay tight lipped about it (he’s good mates with Care who was starting that game). Hopefully Robson will actually be given some meaningful game time this weekend.
Also hoping that Scotland do us a wee favour at the weekend, but I don’t think they’ll have what they need to beat Wales even at home.
Team has been announced...
England team to face Italy: Daly, Cokanasiga, Tuilagi, Te'o, May, Farrell, Youngs; Genge, George, Sinckler, Launchbury, Kruis, Shields, Curry, Vunipola
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Moon, Cole, Hughes, Wilson, Robson, Ford, Slade
That’s a pretty angry front row with Genge and Sinkler. Centres lack cutting edge with Manu and Te’o starting.
So, rugby is having a totally normal one this week.
Aussie match fixing probe!
Why on earth is Robson not given a start?
Why on earth is Robson not given a start?
I assume he’s got too many splinters in his arse to actually play having been sat on the bench for the last month or so....
