I would expect it to be. Not sure it’s a good move by the Ospreys Chairman to resign though, this is a time when the region needs leadership.
Knowing Mike and Rob, I would suspect / expect that they have fully thought through and planned their tactics / strategy.... This resignation was planned - I have no doubt about that!
Please excuse my ignorance here but am I correct in saying that England sides have not regionalised?They have kept their club identity. If this is the case why did we in Wales have to regionalise?
The Clubs in England remain. In Wales, in an attempt to optimise the use of available funding, the WRU under Moffett initially ‘artificially’ created regions - initially 5, but soon down to 4 following the demise of the Warriors. That said, in reality there was only one genuine Region - the Ospreys. The other 3 were in essence Llanelli, Cardiff and Newport. These last 3 don’t like that comment - but it is largely correct, particularly given the seamless addition / assimilation of Bridgend into what was initially the Neath Swansea Ospreys
The regions never captured the passion of the clubs, Warriors was a combined Vale and Valley side including Pontypridd, and Bridgend. There was never going to be a combined unifying identity. With Dragons dominating that region, all the Valley clubs appeared to be excluded from all. I think the problem is the marketing of the regions, the crowds are abysmal and all the money and media seems to cover England’s clubs. I think the current regions is not the issue
It probably is, but from an outside point of view it looks like a tantrum and I would say it strengthens the WRU position.
I understand what you are saying but .... The WRU / PRB said in their Statement issued around 17.30 today that the new PRB has been meeting for c15 months. In May / June last year, the Ospreys holding Company made a Rights Issue, raising £1.5m. I suspect that those monies largely came from Davies and James. Why would they have stumped up those monies? They are both astute and wealthy businessmen..... Take a look again at 1439 overleaf
I haven't got a clue Taff, I don't follow rugby that closely! I do know enough though to have an opinion that the WRU are *********** *********** ********** (you can chose your own words to put in there!!), which makes a resignation by the Chairman appear unnecessary, unless he really means it
Based on what I was led to believe 12 months ago, I suspect that the comments in 1439 reflect the understanding of the Regions (or at least 1 !) at that time. Basically, get you finances in order, and we will reward you.........
..and this is the reward!! Judgement Day will be interesting in the future, plus two of the biggest games in Welsh Regional rugby will be lost (Ospreys v Scarlets home and away).
Also the majority of the English Premiership league clubs have the backing of very rich individuals such as Nigel Wray at Saracens and billionaire Stephen Lansdowne at Bristol.
He seems to have very deep pockets Taff and clever ways of remunerating players to get around the salary cap!
