Here

In basic terms the terms the regions what a fair share of the team wales proceeds or they want to be cut free and have a go in a proper league that some fans may care about rather than the current status quo of having to release players player when the WRU want a game outside of the window, play players in positions team wales want them and not have achance of winning anything

Good weekend for the Irish provinces. Three resounding victories (Leinster’s demolishing of Northampton was particularly satisfying – perhaps they’re back with a shout for the HC this year) and a famous away victory for Connaught at Toulouse. 😯

Wales Rygbi at War[/URL]
Pretty much explains it all.

“The decision was taken following a re-structure in the rugby department and with the best interests of both Gary and the Club in mind.

“No further comment will be made until it is appropriate.”

The director of rugby leaves due to a restructure… hmmm…. 😕 Don’t tell me he punched Henson too! 😀

It’s a win/win surely?
The welsh fans return to their beloved clubs rather than the “regions”. The AP gets additional spice with the welsh games. The welsh clubs (hopefully) get some good moneys and benefit from increased crowds (triple the prices when quins visit!) and hopefully BT dip their hands in their pockets. I’m sold.

They intent isnt to go back to clubs afaik. Its for the regions to jump ship. Ospreys v Bath at the library would be very different from ospreys leinster. Away support would help for a start.

From Gog perspective yes. 😀
We might get regional rugby quicker than we thought 😉
Don’t think it will be plain sailing for the current regions as they will loose funding from the WRU.
They could struggle and if the WRU can entice some of the players to central contracts it could get very messy indeed.
It all depends on the deal they get in the premiership if they manage to get one that is.

Anyway it’s clear RR in Wales is struggling so something has to change,interesting times ahead.

The Scarlett’s were meant to cater for the gogs, who knew that gogs were into rugby 😉

So where are these new clubs in Wales going to get players from? The WRU,who seem even more power mad than your average blazer,are rather unlikely to allow centrally contracted players to jump ship. Can’t see them being too willing to fund them either. We are screwed mind,but in ten years you won’t know as the 6N will have died as fall out.As things stand,how many of the Welsh teams are going to survive in the Prem without

Welsh can’t compete with money that the top English sides have,even with a share of the BT money. If you expand the Prem to take another 3 Welsh sides,their cut is 38 million divided by 15…Surely less than the Welsh are funded by their Union.And for every Cardiff v Bath, there is a Cardiff v London Irish.
Of course the most competitive way would be to have a British league made up of the the top 8 from England and the top 4 from the Rabo, hang on; we can make that the top 5 so the Welsh get a team in… 😈 With a second tier of professional clubs involving the lesser lights such as Edinburgh,Cardiff and Zebre and two sides promoted and relegated each year.
I still can’t help but feel that this is still a power play by EPL. There would be no more Exeters/London Welsh,which would be a shame. And ambitious English clubs would be screwed by the addition of 4 Welsh clubs clogging up the Championship.

Deal is 152 million,over 4 years =38 million.

Which brings in the statement from Sky that they didn’t feel the BT deal was worth the product. As I stated above, I still think it is grandstanding by EPL. Nor do I see how the Welsh clubs could survive or even be competitive without centrally contracted players. Up here the SRU refused to spend on the regions until Murrayfield was paid for (didn’t use lottery) as a result it is only the last two years that they have been able to fund the two regions to begin to be on a par with the rest of the Rabo. Without the WRU money it would take the breakaway clubs 10 years to get on the same footing.
So here are my questions; how long do you propose they stay protected? How long will the lower clubs in England put up with it,can’t see the likes of Bristol who have a prem set up buying into it.
When the dust settles and EPL wants the Hiney cup money again ,how many Welsh Prem teams will be in Europe.
If there are Welsh regions,where does the allocation of Welsh places go?

None EPL Welsh clubs Welsh Exiles

Gavin Henson – Bath 😀
Lee Byrne – Clermont Auvergne
Luke Charteris – Perpignan
James Hook – Perpignan
Dan Lydiate – Racing Metro
Jamie Roberts – Racing Metro
Mike Phillips – Racing Metro
George North – Northampton
Paul James – Bath
Craig Mitchell – Exeter
Tavis Knoyle- Bath
Martyn Roberts – Bath
Rhys Gill – Bath
Jon Davies – Clermont (from 2014)
Ian Evans – Toulon (from 2014)
The Fridge – Sale

Waiting for a taxi!

Warburton
Hibbard
Priestland

Skint??
I think they are in the black at the moment,that’s why their not affraid of the regions if it goes to court.

John Taylor

So again, how will the clubs survive if the WRU keeps the regions? None of the English clubs do anything but lose money hand over fist. The French that they seem to envy are owned BY the likes of France’s version of Murdoch. Of course the French have until December 31st to cancel their e158 deal…which could really throw the cat amongst the urban fowl,as the prospect of getting in bed with the French will mean all bets are off for the English.

Do you have more up to date figures for that? I find it incredible that Sale nearly broke even lat year bearing in mind they paid so much for such a large bucket of poo.

Exeter have been in profit every year they’ve been in the AP. Gloucs and tigers in profit last season. Saints been in profit for 12 seasons running. Not so sure about quins and b*** though.

Got a link Beici?

I would be more likely to believe the piece in the times today that shows how close the various parties actually are. Are you sure the guy who started that thread isn’t just reading off of here or YOU? 😀