Not really because the Welsh clubs that join the Prem will be the “new” clubs. They still have the issues of being competitive,or being relegated. Even if the Welsh Nigel Wray stepped forward,Sale were a good example of how you cannot buy a place in the League. And any of the new clubs that goes down will make the rabo seem exotic; Cardiff v Ding Crusaders anybody? Still, another two weeks and it will all be clearer as do they not have untill the new year to sign?
As much as I think the Welsh would be screwed in England,I know the Rabo is screwed as well. If money wasn’t a factor and it was purely about growing the game and improving crowds and entertainment,we could have a two tier British league of 14 and 16 teams,any team promoted to the second has a years grace from relegation to allow them the chance to adjust. TBH that would probably save the rugby in my country as well because despite Glasgow’s crowds being up,the rabo is rubbish and isn’t a draw.

Point remains that the Welsh clubs/regions etc are not joining the English to play in the less desireable areas of Bristol.And also,how well are those contracted players doing in the Rabo? Contracts work both ways,if they wanted to compete or survive they would need to improve their squads, you have to pay up the players you want rid off,a huge cost. And who do you replace them with?

Which would make the Prem the dogs trust… 😆

If the welsh regions jumped ship and I am confident they wont they would survive. Christ London Welsh had a few worried until they were docked points. They make the Ospreys look like the Galacticos they once were.

Just throw in a few commas and go about trying to find your life

Sorry, 4 tries. 34-0 at half time
Gaskell scores the first try, Cipriani the second,Braid the third and Cueto the 4th. Cipriani hits all his goals.

Can the 2nd half be better?

Bugger me backwards.
Sale 53-14 Oyonnax. 7 tries to sale, 2 to Oyonnax. Cipriani misses one kick all night.
Why oh why did i decide to skip this game?

I could only afford one game before Xmas so plumped for the LI game next week – bloody regretting it now! Apparently Cipriani scored a potential try of the season .

Who were Sale playing? Wouldn’t get to excited about a big score against a team no one has heard of or pronounce 😆

Ospreys a good win, too little to late.

great start from Scarlets 😥

Anyone see the Leinster northampton game and able to report on how North went at 13? He could be a real threat there for wales in the future.

Talented backs are no use if they get cold hands Pigface,they are also no use if you make them play up front( that is what Glaws have done this season isn’t it?)Don’t know what they are doing up front,Hamilton said in an interview they didn’t offer him a contract,which is daft looking at where they are getting beaten this year.

From all accounts Glaws had dominance in the forwards but were wasteful, my mate who was there said it was awful.

Hibbard is on his way there next season.

Afoa and Hibbard should bulk up the front row!

@muddy – don’t mean to be a grump but 53-17 is a boring match.

I watched Toulon/Exeter and Perpignan/Munster, latter was quite dull till last 10 mins but what a finish. Of those teams none of them looked likely HC winners on current form.

Toulon’s president stated they wouldn’t sign Warburton as he wanted too much money but they are after Halfpenny, makes sense with JW to retire and Giteau is playing very well. Toulon/Warburton/Halfpenny

Toulon have invested a lot in their squad already, the president doesn’t have an endless supply of money, typically the French clubs spend money on play makers, big money for a forward ? Warburton’s a fabulous player but I can see why Toulon would prefer Halfpenny. I think they are chasing Rory Kockott too, the Castres scrum half you had a big part in beating them in the Top 14 final.

As noted above, with Burns probably off, Hibbard to Glaws – a great signing. After our cup final against Worcester on Sunday, hopefully a win means they can then start planning for next season. Its not lost on me that Dean Ryan’s last home game in charge at Glaws was a loss to Worcester.

http://balls.ie/rugby/holy-crap-sebastien-chabal-get-away-just-yellow-card/

wonder if this guy got concussion 😯

Shame, he’s an utter bell end but a very good player.

Goode? GOODE?
Foden is current second choice, and I think Watson will/should be in sooner rather than later.