I’m not saying that it will never happen - all 4 Regions have trouble financing their businesses and balancing the books - so ultimately, if insufficient monies can be generated/made available, then if the Strategy is to challenge for/win the Champions Cup, it might be inevitable - that said, the Irish have found a way to run with 4 teams/provinces very successfully! I think that going from 4 to 2 at this juncture would be a huge risk - the WRU would disenfranchise supporters in Newport / Gwent, as well as from Swansea to (basically) Bridgend. Arguably choosing Cardiff over Newport (Blues v Dragons) is an obvious outcome. However, Swansea over Llanelli - or (more likely at present) Llanelli over Swansea ...... The Ospreys have been the most successful Welsh Region - winning more Celtic League/Pro 12/14 titles than any other Welsh Region, and have provided more players for Wales in the Regional era. However, the Scarlets are the most successful Welsh Region at present...... The Ospreys have a long term lease to play at the Liberty: the Scarlets own their Stadium. Which is better placed (re the Stadium) in the medium to long term? Arguably, is it the Ospreys as they are merely tenants, whereas the Scarlets will have the associated high maintenance costs from owning their Stadium? Additionally, there are already existing TV deals and Competition Agreements that ‘require’ that Wales fields 4 sides. Therefore, in the short term I think that they will run with 3+1, possibly 2+1+1
They’ve been working on this Project since last March or so I’ve been told - it can’t be straightforward. I also read that they may raise some cash by borrowing against the Stadium....
We are generous in support of our sports Men and Women when they wear the Red of Wales (or Yellow, well done Geraint). But when they don their local colours our support becomes very parochial and miserly. The problem, the big problem when it comes to attendance imo, is that we have a small population, there's only 3.1m of us. That makes us rare but, unfortunately, expensive too. We don't have the population to generate a loads of money or even sustain the number of clubs playing all the sports played here, in our rare Gem of a home. As for rugby, it was workable when the game was amateur. Then it was relatively cheap to run but turning professional made it far more expensive to maintain. I can see why the WRU want, probably need, to merge clubs. Doing that reduces the number requiring funding and potentially increasing revenues clubs can generate from of bums on seats, merchandising, match day revenues and what-not. The WRU need to get this message across if they are going to sell mergers as a way forward to us stubborn minded Welsh fans and to do that, they may have change our psyche or at least the way we think about who we support and why. Good luck with that boys To help things along and save some money, the WRU cold start by getting rid of unnecessary expenditure starting with disbanding the excuse for a region, the Dragons. They could even go a step further to help cleanse Welsh rugby for future generations by expunging all and any reference to them in all literature, historical or otherwise, written, recorded, filmed or photographed. Also hack and chisel away any and every reference or effigy of them found on statues and monuments around Wales including newport. Annihilate them from all Welsh history, Welsh rugby history and Welsh sport history in its entirety. Guess what? I don't like the Dragons
This could help https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/english-rugby-clubs-shock-bid-15671247 I like that
There’s so much happening at present, Global Season, TV deals, changes to reduce risk of injuries (eg SMART gumshields to identify concussions) the WRU should just tread water before making a game/region-changing decision that it may come to regret.....
Olde boys? Taff....? https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ryan-jones-becomes-one-most-15696374
I suspect that Cuddy will not want to allow control and ownership of Neath be taken away from him/his family.
Its coming across as spiteful now, which will benefit no one. If he really loves Neath RFC he should hand it over.
The guys and senior Cttee/Volunteers want the company to go under do that a supporters group can take the reins. Cuddy, I suspect will fight tooth and nail to retain it - it’s also a route into the Ospreys for him/his family, I understand.
