Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

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trundles left foot said:
Just feels like a bit of a backward step. we have had a good season and we need to improve not lessen the side. Still will have to wait and see, just never been impressed with him even when he was in the Welsh squad.
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I think he will be a step up on Spratty - and could do a job when the International players are away.

Also the Coaches believe that they can raise his performance levels - so a win win for team & player alike! Hopefully ! <cheers>
 
Taffvalerowdy said:
I suspect money is/was the underlying reason for the change.

The WRU could "afford" to help finance 4 teams - there wasn't enough cash to go round 10 or 12.

Even today, the 4 Welsh Regions are at a significant disadvantage in terms of playing budgets compared with not only the English & French, but also the Irish & Scots.
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Other significant disadvantage includes the limited game time internationals are permitted to play for their regions. I think this has a detrimental effect on development because the young players are in and out of the team all of the time

Another disadvantage is the amount of time our influential players are away from their regions for training camps in Autumn, Summer and for six Nations. Their influence is diminished because of this imo.

One thing that would help the budgets of our regions, as well as help in fast track young talent, would be to allow free movement of out top players abroad. I truly believe that would ultimately be good for our game here in Wales.

Letting another club or union pay for the upkeep of our top players would mean more cash to spend in the regions. With the money we could nurture more talent and the space freed up by the players being allowed to leave would be snapped up by the next eager generation of talent.

Necessity for players would speed up the production process in Wales, fast tracking players into the mix. The WRU could maybe also allow an extra key foreign signing in each region. A Southern Hemisphere ex-international is much cheaper than an incumbent Welsh international so its economical.

If taken seriously we could introduce transfer fees so Richer would have to buy players from us, not as stupidly as the football transfer market, but we should introduce transfer fees non the less.

Throwing money at top players to encourage them to stay in Wales is a false economy because I believe that for every Dan Bigger there is a Sam Davies, for every AWJ a Rory Thornton, Gethin Jenkins a Nicky Smith. We need to add these players to the gene pool as quickly as possible and make our game in Wales more competitive through an increase in numbers, skill and talent.

I think Gatlands law is short sighted and restrictive. Preventing players from gaining knowledge and experience of other cultures ultimately inhibits their development as players and stunts their potential. With the right stimulation they could get better and better, so why stifle their talent and stop them growing?.
 
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Stumpy any idea whether it is 100% legal and if challenged would it stand up in court. Seems strange that people can be held to almost ransom to stay in a country to work. Just curious as I know its been in a while but just doesn't seem right.
 
Gatland's law allows us to retain players in Wales.

If there were to be a free for all, I suspect that the Regions would all end up like the Dragons.........
 
I just wondered if it is legal, with regard to being able to ply your trade around Europe and do any other jobs put a restriction on it. I understand the reasons, but if enough money is offered the national team could be very watered down if players decide to take the money.
 
Players are free to ply their trade anywhere..... but run the risk of not meeting the selection criteria for the Wales squad
 
Taffvalerowdy said:
Only because Keelan is injured.

The Ospreys were informed that Keelan was in the squad - then he pulled his bloody hamstring.....
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But why not go SD at 10, Biggar at 12, JD at 13 and Scott Williams at 11?

Same as Thomas Young. It's an absolute joke that he's been released yo play for Wasps this weekend. He's the inform backrow player in Britain atm.

Howley is as spineless as our attacking play.
 
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7-10 down at half time against Zebre.... <steam>

We have 28 players out through either international call ups & injuries........
 
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