Cardiff Blues squad and off-field updates.

It appears that the following players will be leaving the Blues at the end of the season


DEPARTURE

Gavin Henson - Sacked

TRThomas - Despite being given the captaincy a few times this season, Thomas is due to leave - He is one of the players who has been excellent for us, is available all year round and we should be building a team around him. But he is off to Wasps.

Gethin Jenkins - 1 of our 4 world class players is off to Toulon

Casey Laulaula - The second centre to go, he is off to Munster, despite being available all year round.

Dan Parks is off to Connacht

Ritchie Rees is going to Edinburgh

Deniol Jones is retired

Martyn Williams is retiring

Mamma Molitika is retiring

John Yapp is leaving to go to Edinburgh

Ben Blair has apparently been offered a contract in France, at Lyon and is leaving

Jamie Roberts will miss a large part of next season through injury

Paul Tito is retiring

Ryan Tyrell is returning to Australia

Xavier Rush has retired as a player due to injury

Justin Burnell has left with immediate effect

Richard Mustoe rumoured retirement



ARRIVING AND STAYING

Xavier Rush has become the next defence coach

Jason Tovey is the only new signing of any significance announced so far, from the Dragons

Robin Copeland is confirmed from Rotherham RFC - some good reports, a replacement for Molitika

Lou Reed is signing though from the Scarlets

And Gavin Evans has signed a new 2 year contract extension...woop

Benoit Bourrust a THP from Perpignan is arriving

Fijian LHP prop Campese Ma'afu has signed from Australian side West Harbour Pirates

Hooker Andi Kyriacou is being targeted from Ulster - confirmed

Ceri Sweeney is staying with the Blues with a contract extension

Fau Filise has signed a contract extension (Probably 1 year)

A new Director of Rugby Phil Davies has joined.

Alex Cuthbert has signed a 1 year extension

Rob Lewis confirmed coming at SH from London Welsh

Deniol Jones is now team manager

Lee Jarvis has been appointed skills coach


Squad for next season


Props
Sam Hobbs
Ma'afu Campese
Benoit Bourrust
Scott Andrews
Fau Filise
Ryan Hartford
Nathan Trevett
Thomas Davies

Hookers
Andy Kyricau
Kristian Dacey
Mark Breeze
Rhys Williams

Locks
Bradley Davies
Lou Reed
James Down
Cory Hill
McCauley Cook
Matthew Screech

Backrow
Michael Paterson
Robin Copeland
Sam Warburton
Josh Navidi
Andreus Pretorious
Ellis Jenkins
Thomas Young
Luke Hamilton


Scrum Halfs
Lloyd Williams
Rob Lewis
Lewis Jones

Fly Halfs
Jason Tovey
Ceri Sweeney
Rhys Patchell

Centres
Jamie Roberts
Daffydd Hewitt
Gavin Evans
Cory Allen
Owen Williams

Back 3
Alex Cuthbert
Tom James
Leigh Halfpenny
Dan Fish
Chris Czekaj
Harry Robinson

That's some massive cuts to the wage budget, surely you'll se some re-investment even if it's not at a similar level to this season. Seems a little odd not to even offer Henson a cheap 1 year extension.

Thomas might not be off to Wasps if they go down this season, which considering their truely woeful form and injuries coupled with an improved Newcastle is a slight possibility.

Peter Thomas Jan 2011;

“Our crowd numbers are up 30 per cent since we left the Arms Park, our turnover is up. Everything is going in the right direction.”

Meh!

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/01/20/blues-paying-price-of-failure-says-peter-thomas-91466-28017869/#ixzz1nfr2uMp4

formerly known as Sam wrote:That's some massive cuts to the wage budget, surely you'll se some re-investment even if it's not at a similar level to this season. Seems a little odd not to even offer Henson a cheap 1 year extension.

Thomas might not be off to Wasps if they go down this season, which considering their truely woeful form and injuries coupled with an improved Newcastle is a slight possibility.

Plus the Deano factor.

Maybe you should get Dai Young back, his move to Wasps looks like ending in tears.

wales606 wrote:

So to sum up. Next seasons table will not look good for the Blues. :/

Even a £500,000 boost from the HC 1/4 is not helping us keep any players.

That £500,000 will help towards paying sky rocketing CCS stadium costs which are rumoured to be around £800,000 this season.
What a god awful mess we are in.

Plus the Deano factor

He won't go to Newcastle before the end of this season.

HERSH wrote:Maybe you should get Dai Young back, his move to Wasps looks like ending in tears.

Lots of injuries down there I believe and I read this morning another 3 players are crocked.
Can't afford a DOR anyway and I also doubt any ex Cardiff Blues employees would consider returning while Thomas is in charge and the club is dying a slow death.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Plus the Deano factor

He won't go to Newcastle before the end of this season.

I realise that, but knowing he's on his way must be a boost to the players and supporters.

So, next years team when everyone is fit will be

1. John Yapp
2. Ryan Tyrell
3. Scott Andrews

Probably the worst front row we have ever had

4. Bradley Davies
5. Paul Tito
6. Michael Paterson
7. Sam Warburton
8. Xavier Rush

Probably the only decent part of the team that is left

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Jason Tovey

A decent first choice partnership

12. Jamie Roberts
13. Gavin Evans

Evans is the only 13 left, he is hopeless and Hewitt is a better centre - but the coaches lover Evans. Roberts often plays poorly for the Blues

11. Tom James
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Decent.


16. Sam Hobbs
17. Umm, a hopeless prop
18. Rhys Williams/Kristian Dacey
19. James Down
20. Andreus Pretorious
21. Warren Fury (if he signs)
22. Ummm, Rhys Patchell?
23. Daffydd Hewitt

That is an AWFUL bench, even when everyone is fit and not on international duty.

This season, we have had 5 - 10 player on the injury list every week. Take 5 - 10 players from that team, and Aironi will beat it in Cardiff.



When players are on international duty we will have

1. John Yapp
2. Ryan Tyrell
3. Scott Andrews (or worse)
4. James Down
5. Paul Tito
6. Michael Paterson
7. Josh Navidi
8. Xavier Rush
9. Warren Fury
10. Jason Tovey or Rhys Patchell!?
11. Tom James
12. Daffydd Hewitt
13. Gavin Evans
14. Richard Mustoe (if he stays)
15. Ben Blair

16. Sam Hobbs
17. A hopeless prop
18. Rhys Williams/Kristian Dacey
19. Cory Hill
20. Andreus Pretorious
21. Rhys Downes?
22. A spectator who has previously played 10
23. Umm, Harry Robinson, but there will be no centre cover.


+ 5 - 10 injures and we will be fielding an entire academy side - the side that have had 40+ points put on them in all their LV games this season.

wales606 wrote:

Meanwhile, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny look set to be off when their contracts run out at the end of next season.

I missed this bit. Bloody hell.
Is this true or just a rumour someone has started to cause a stir?

HERSH wrote:Maybe you should get Dai Young back, his move to Wasps looks like ending in tears.

Will he accept being paid in skittles? The current coaches are on M&Ms, but we could probably improve on it to get rid of Baber

Ouch.

Looks like you guys are where the Scarlets were 2008-2010.

It hurts, I'm not going to lie.

Start living within your means now though, and after a few tough seasons, your academy players should come good

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Meanwhile, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny look set to be off when their contracts run out at the end of next season.

I missed this bit. Bloody hell.
Is this true or just a rumour someone has started to cause a stir?

Pretty strong rumour - especially since the Blues can't offer Henson a 1 year contract, I can't see them competing with French teams in a years time for 2 very good player.

Warburton will be the team season after next.

wales606 wrote:Ryan Tyrell is likely to stay with no TRT or Bennett

Cripes....I played with Ryan 10 years ago in Aus and we're friends on Facebook. I knew he was in the UK but he'd never made any mention of who he was playing for over here except that he was in Wales playing rugby. FYI he did mention on FB that he loves the club he's at and would like to stay another season so you might be right!

rugbydreamer wrote:Ouch.

Looks like you guys are where the Scarlets were 2008-2010.

It hurts, I'm not going to lie.

Start living within your means now though, and after a few tough seasons, your academy players should come good

At least the Scarlets had a decent coach - one who can organise a backline

Surely the Doc will want to stay in Cardiff though because of his medical degree?

Can't see him leaving anyway if the Blues manage to offer him a semi-reasonable contract.

Wales606 - we had a backline, but no pack!

Looks like you'll at least have a fairly decent pack, but perhaps not so great a backline.

Tough times ahead for the regions, and I can sympathise with you guys completely. Scarlets went through it for a couple of seasons, and we're in massive danger of going through it again withi the players we have out of contract.

nervous times waiting to announce when our players are going to/IF they're going to re sign.

chewed_mintie wrote:

wales606 wrote:Ryan Tyrell is likely to stay with no TRT or Bennett

Cripes....I played with Ryan 10 years ago in Aus and we're friends on Facebook. I knew he was in the UK but he'd never made any mention of who he was playing for over here except that he was in Wales playing rugby. FYI he did mention on FB that he loves the club he's at and would like to stay another season so you might be right!

He is a good carrier, but not great at the lineout or breakdown, he doesnt have the workrate of TRT yet. Hope he improves with gametime though.

I was wondering why TRT had been benched recently, obviously it is because they want Tyrell to have gametime before next season. He is now first choice for the rest of the season.

rugbydreamer wrote:Wales606 - we had a backline, but no pack!

Looks like you'll at least have a fairly decent pack, but perhaps not so great a backline.

Tough times ahead for the regions, and I can sympathise with you guys completely. Scarlets went through it for a couple of seasons, and we're in massive danger of going through it again withi the players we have out of contract.

nervous times waiting to announce when our players are going to/IF they're going to re sign.

Scarlets had a better front row though. Yapp/Hobb, Tyrell and Andrews are the only player with any experience left - and they are not good scrummagers - 4 poor to decent front row players is not enough for a season.

I really thought we would at least get Gill if Gethin left.

"Dan Parks is off to Connacht"

Is this for real?! Do you have a source?

rugbydreamer wrote:Ouch.

Looks like you guys are where the Scarlets were 2008-2010.

It hurts, I'm not going to lie.

Start living within your means now though, and after a few tough seasons, your academy players should come good

A bit difficult to live with our means when we have a flash stadium to pay for that nobody wants to be at. If the stadium costs increase is true, then together with the rent Cardiff Blues are paying well over £1m pa to boot a ball around a few weeks per year. Bonkers.

roddersm wrote:"Dan Parks is off to Connacht"

Is this for real?! Do you have a source?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17191403

it is bonkers, dave, but surely the fans realise now that they have to start going to the games, otherwise the Blues lieterally won't survive?

Hopefully if they keep averaging 9k at the CAP, they'll be getting in a lot more money ticket wise then they have been and that can help towards covering the cost.

it is a bit of a ridiculous situation though.

I've said for years (and have been mocked for it ) that the Regions won't last as the fans don't support it.

But I didn't think it would be the Blues to go first.

rugbydreamer wrote:

Tough times ahead for the regions, and I can sympathise with you guys completely. Scarlets went through it for a couple of seasons, and we're in massive danger of going through it again withi the players we have out of contract.

The annoying thing is though, had we stayed at CAP, we would be easily riding out the storm. Peter Thomas's property gamble has failed miserably and now the club is suffering because of it.

I wouldn't say you'd be easily riding it out (as I've no doubt if you guys had stayed, a lot of money would have gone on redeveloping the place), but certainly you'd be in a much better situation then you are now.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:

Tough times ahead for the regions, and I can sympathise with you guys completely. Scarlets went through it for a couple of seasons, and we're in massive danger of going through it again withi the players we have out of contract.

The annoying thing is though, had we stayed at CAP, we would be easily riding out the storm. Peter Thomas's property gamble has failed miserably and now the club is suffering because of it.

Yep, the only hope is that Cardiff City FC decide that it is bad publicity if they bankrupt an ancient rugby club and let the Blues out of their contract - then perhaps they can move back the the arms park and PT can leave and the rebuilding can start. :/

Can Wales continue to play so well when more than half its first team are playing abroad?

I think the blues will go bust.

The contract with CCs will then be null and void, sorting that problem.

A NEW region will then be formed called, oh I don't know, Cardiff, which will play in blue and black at The Arms Park.


Watch this space!!!

Surely the WRU are going to question at some stage what exactly the 3.75 million they pay the Blues is being spent on. 1.5 Million of that relates to Welsh Player Release which is a bit difficult when you are selling anyone involved with the International side.

Given that the cap is only 3.5 million, the WRU would have a fair point.

Rhys Thomas leaving is not a massive blow. He wont ever make it back into the National setup and there is so much quality in his position. Scarlets already got 4 quality ones in Emyr Phillips. Rees, Owens and Myhill. They cant possibly need all of them.

But in truth im concerned in particular that the Blues and resigning their Foreign contingent. Dont get me wrong - Blair & Tito are good club players but it seems a cheek to sign these players after introducing a salary cap. Surely Welsh Players should be retained as a priority? Im seriously questioning P. Thomas motives at this point. Clearly they dont have a nose for business either because only a fool would have signed a lease for 20 years for stadium they knew they couldnt fill (or just hoped they would).

At Least the Ospreys are getting rid of their Foreigners as well and so are the Scarlets.

The Blues seem to be intent on taking the WRU money and then doing everything in their power to sign players who wont go on to feature for the National side. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. If they are not careful they will seriously harm their reputation with the WRU.

Talk about over reacting, Wales606.

Let's have a look at the players 'leaving' (as you have no information, just rumours from thearmspark forum) :

wales606 wrote:It appears that the following players will be leaving the Blues at the end of the season

Gavin Henson - Can't afford to offer him a contract, even though he can cover 3 positions and is unlikely to be away with Wales. Possible return to the Ospreys? He was only ever on a short term contract, it's not as if we brought him in with a view to keeping him beyond this season. it was always a try it and see process.

TRThomas - Despite being given the captaincy a few times this season, Thomas is due to leave - He is one of the players who has been excellent for us, is available all year round and we should be building a team around him. But he is off to Wasps. With Bennett now out of the transfer market, the Blues will be in deeper trouble at Hooker next season. Building a team round him? Are you sure? He's a decent player but too many injuries

Gethin Jenkins - One of our 3 world class players is off to Toulon, worse yet, there will be no Rhys Gill or E.Roberts GJ would obviously go, he's getting on but still has enough years left to pull in the big money in france. Always on the cards. Rhys Gill won't come back to wales for now, he'll be at the Saracens for the next 3 years then either back to wales or somewhere else. As for ELR, he's a tub of lard THP who didn't move to a region because he wanted to be near his farm...yet moves to toulon? fat waste of space chasing money. No thanks. We have Sam Hobbs to come in at LHP anyway.

Casey Laulaula - The second centre to go, he is off to Munster, despite being available all year round. Superb before this season, hot & cold this season. Not ideal losing him, but these things happen

Dan Parks is off to Connacht And?

and Ceri Sweeney off to Ponty, leaving us very short of FHs Hasn't been first choice for the blues since SNK and rightly so, he isn't the answer

Ritchie Rees is going to Perpignan or another french teams, leaving us very short of cover when L.Williams is away. Richie has been on the wane since being dropped by wales. We've got Lloyd and also that lad who played during the world cup.

Deniol Jones is being released, possibly to the Dragons Excellent servant, but now too old to command a place on the bench, let alone starting

Martyn Williams, Tau Filise and Mamma Molitika are all likely to retire. MW & Maama are at the end of their careers and Filise is 35 as well.

Meanwhile, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny look set to be off when their contracts run out at the end of next season. Of course they will, they'll be offered about 3 times as much as they are now.

So to sum up. Next seasons table will not look good for the Blues. :/

Even a £500,000 boost from the HC 1/4 is not helping us keep any players.

While there will be players leaving, the ones doing so are the older players. The only one i think we could have kept would have been Casey, but he got an offer from a more successful team and good luck to him.

This time was always going to come, no point getting hysterical over it. Sure we will be a bit thin in places, but then we have to play youngsters at some point.

Welshmushroom wrote:Surely the WRU are going to question at some stage what exactly the 3.75 million they pay the Blues is being spent on. 1.5 Million of that relates to Welsh Player Release which is a bit difficult when you are selling anyone involved with the International side.

The WRU only pay £1.5m of their own cash. The rest comes from tv contracts etc and belongs to the regions anyway.

Welshmushroom wrote:

Rhys Thomas leaving is not a massive blow. He wont ever make it back into the National setup and there is so much quality in his position. Scarlets already got 4 quality ones in Emyr Phillips. Rees, Owens and Myhill. They cant possibly need all of them.

Losing TRT is a huge blow to Cardiff Blues as he is a very good hooker and would be available throughout the season.

rugbydreamer wrote:I wouldn't say you'd be easily riding it out (as I've no doubt if you guys had stayed, a lot of money would have gone on redeveloping the place), but certainly you'd be in a much better situation then you are now.

I like your sense of humour. Getting a dud light bulb replaced at CAP required an EGM.

the lou reed rumour to the blues seems to be keep going. was reported in the french papers:

international Gallois vers Cardiff
Publié le lun 27/02/2012 15:25
Crédit photo: D.R.
Nouvel international gallois depuis sa rentrée contre l'Ecosse il y a deux semaines, Lou Reed pourrait quitter son club de Llanelli durant l'intersaison.

Le puissant deuxième-ligne de 24 ans (118kg pour 1,99m) pourrait prendre la direction des Cardiff Blues selon la presse britannique.
LA FICHE DE LOU REED

French not great, but I think that reads he is going to the blues.

Dave -

Seriously though, they would have developed the seating areas, the toilets and facilities etc. It wouldn necessarily have been all that cheap to stay there.

Welshmushroom - Scarlets do actually need all those hookers. During this 6N's - Rees has been injured so Owens called up to play. Myhill has been away captaining the U20's. We've only had Phillips available and have had to rely on Hawkins who usually plays for the RFC (leaving Llanelli struggling in that position instead).

I know 4 hookers sounds a lot, and we already let Rhys Lawrence go last season (why didn't another Welsh region grab him?!) but the way injuries and call ups go, the ones we've got are most definitely needed

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Surely the WRU are going to question at some stage what exactly the 3.75 million they pay the Blues is being spent on. 1.5 Million of that relates to Welsh Player Release which is a bit difficult when you are selling anyone involved with the International side.

The WRU only pay £1.5m of their own cash. The rest comes from tv contracts etc and belongs to the regions anyway.

Erm thats not actually correct.

The WRU broker their coverage rights for the Regional and Club game in Wales within the Heineken Cup and the BBC for general TV rights. This money is paid to the WRU as the contract is held with them. They are also on the various baords for the Rabbo and HC, holding full control. The Blues only have a right to this providing they are infact endorsed by the WRU to play in these competitions. You're assumption that this money would be paid over regardless is incorrect. For example if the WRU revoke the Blues regional status and decided to create a new one this funding would infact be given to the new region. The Blues therefore do not have a god given right to this money. So in some sense all of the money paid is WRU money. If it wasn't why do you think the Blues are not paid directly?

I think our best hope is for Cardiff City to get promoted to the Premier League. They won't want the pitch being used for rugby and the £800k they receive in rent each year will be a drop in the ocean for them. I'm sure they'll quite happily give Peter Thomas a get out of jail free card if promotion happens.

Seriously though, they would have developed the seating areas, the toilets and facilities etc. It wouldn necessarily have been all that cheap to stay there

Could have been done over several years like Tigers are doing with Welford Rd.

They could have Sam, but what I'm saying is that there still would have been that aditional cost for them to cover. Obviously not as much as what they are paying at the CCS but still enough for them to be put under financial pressure, considering the state of Welsh rugby finances at the minute.

rugbydreamer wrote:Welshmushroom - Scarlets do actually need all those hookers. During this 6N's - Rees has been injured so Owens called up to play. Myhill has been away captaining the U20's. We've only had Phillips available and have had to rely on Hawkins who usually plays for the RFC (leaving Llanelli struggling in that position instead).

I know 4 hookers sounds a lot, and we already let Rhys Lawrence go last season (why didn't another Welsh region grab him?!) but the way injuries and call ups go, the ones we've got are most definitely needed

Sorry, my point was this. Emyr is a class hooker. He should be a starting hooker for one of the regions. Not a backup to both Rees & Owens. In fairness though the same could be said about Owens as well.

I guess what I'm driving at is that Regional Rugby should be based on the 4 best in each position to be regularly playing for each of the regions (with the best of those earning the right to represent at international level). The backups should then be anyone else left remaining outside of these 60 players.

The real issue though is that the Regions are so determined to compete against each other and stop giving their rivals an advantage that they would rather see players be loaned outside of Wales instead of getting game time in Wales.

They could have Sam, but what I'm saying is that there still would have been that aditional cost for them to cover. Obviously not as much as what they are paying at the CCS but still enough for them to be put under financial pressure, considering the state of Welsh rugby finances at the minute. .

True but by doing bits at a time they could have been able to pick and choose when to incur the additional costs. Times like now when they are short of cash they would be able to stop the additional extra spend and wait for a time when they could afford to continue.

rugbydreamer wrote:it is bonkers, dave, but surely the fans realise now that they have to start going to the games, otherwise the Blues lieterally won't survive?

Hopefully if they keep averaging 9k at the CAP, they'll be getting in a lot more money ticket wise then they have been and that can help towards covering the cost.

it is a bit of a ridiculous situation though.

Many people mention the fans, but how many fans are there?
We previously averaged say 7-8k at CAP. That's still way, way short of meeting the astronomical costs of CCS and miles away from filling the place.
Unless they can magic several thousand out of thin air, they will never be able to survive at CCS anyway whether the current lot of fans go to games or not.

Squads with call ups etc dictate that you will need more than just 1 back up player in any given position, so 3 hookers for me are a necessity if you want a good enough squad to truly compete.

And honestly I don't see that the regions are behaving like that against each other. There's always been plenty of movement of Welsh players between regions so not sure where you get that idea from?

I'm finding it hard to believe that Peter Thomas isn't going to at least make sure the squad is competitive next season. Surely if the cuts are too harsh and the team is as weak as people have suggested then the crowds are going to get smaller and smaller and the losses will get bigger and bigger. Actually, I shouldn't say I find it hard to believe anything that Peter Thomas does. Is this all a plan to put pressure on the WRU to start central contracts?

rugbydreamer wrote:Dave -

Seriously though, they would have developed the seating areas, the toilets and facilities etc. It wouldn necessarily have been all that cheap to stay there.

Just to clarify, Cardiff have never really left CAP. They still use it, they pay the rent and are responsible for its upkeep.
Cheap as chips though to refurbish the existing facilities which have needed sorting for many years, but those in charge never really got their heads around it. As i've said before on here, a lot of work has been carried out by supporters who volunteered their time and labour for free. I think the club did pay for materials mind.
As for developing the place, well that's something that could be considered at a later date.

Welshmushroom wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Surely the WRU are going to question at some stage what exactly the 3.75 million they pay the Blues is being spent on. 1.5 Million of that relates to Welsh Player Release which is a bit difficult when you are selling anyone involved with the International side.

The WRU only pay £1.5m of their own cash. The rest comes from tv contracts etc and belongs to the regions anyway.

Erm thats not actually correct.

The WRU broker their coverage rights for the Regional and Club game in Wales within the Heineken Cup and the BBC for general TV rights. This money is paid to the WRU as the contract is held with them. They are also on the various baords for the Rabbo and HC, holding full control. The Blues only have a right to this providing they are infact endorsed by the WRU to play in these competitions. You're assumption that this money would be paid over regardless is incorrect. For example if the WRU revoke the Blues regional status and decided to create a new one this funding would infact be given to the new region. The Blues therefore do not have a god given right to this money. So in some sense all of the money paid is WRU money. If it wasn't why do you think the Blues are not paid directly?

So the money belongs to the regions, not the WRU.
If we didn't have Welsh representation in these club competitions, this money wouldn't exist in the first place.
As Cardiff Blues currently compete in both the Pro12 and HEC, then they are entitled to a share of this money.
Along with the other 3, it is their money and doesn't belong to the WRU. They merely hold it then dish it out.

Eclipse wrote:I'm finding it hard to believe that Peter Thomas isn't going to at least make sure the squad is competitive next season. Surely if the cuts are too harsh and the team is as weak as people have suggested then the crowds are going to get smaller and smaller and the losses will get bigger and bigger. Actually, I shouldn't say I find it hard to believe anything that Peter Thomas does. Is this all a plan to put pressure on the WRU to start central contracts?

In my opinion, the £3.5m salary cap is purposely designed to put pressure on the WRU.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Seriously though, they would have developed the seating areas, the toilets and facilities etc. It wouldn necessarily have been all that cheap to stay there

Could have been done over several years like Tigers are doing with Welford Rd.

Could've and should've.
This is what is so depressing and annoying because it was the obvious thing to do, but unfortunately Thomas and others had different ideas.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Surely the WRU are going to question at some stage what exactly the 3.75 million they pay the Blues is being spent on. 1.5 Million of that relates to Welsh Player Release which is a bit difficult when you are selling anyone involved with the International side.

The WRU only pay £1.5m of their own cash. The rest comes from tv contracts etc and belongs to the regions anyway.

Erm thats not actually correct.

The WRU broker their coverage rights for the Regional and Club game in Wales within the Heineken Cup and the BBC for general TV rights. This money is paid to the WRU as the contract is held with them. They are also on the various baords for the Rabbo and HC, holding full control. The Blues only have a right to this providing they are infact endorsed by the WRU to play in these competitions. You're assumption that this money would be paid over regardless is incorrect. For example if the WRU revoke the Blues regional status and decided to create a new one this funding would infact be given to the new region. The Blues therefore do not have a god given right to this money. So in some sense all of the money paid is WRU money. If it wasn't why do you think the Blues are not paid directly?

So the money belongs to the regions, not the WRU.
If we didn't have Welsh representation in these club competitions, this money wouldn't exist in the first place.
As Cardiff Blues currently compete in both the Pro12 and HEC, then they are entitled to a share of this money.
Along with the other 3, it is their money and doesn't belong to the WRU. They merely hold it then dish it out.

No because the Contracts for these Revenue streams are negotiated and signed for by the WRU. It is their name on these contracts. This means all this money in fact belongs to the WRU. This is further illustrated by the fact they choose to dish this out equally between 4. If this was not the case the Dragons who didn’t compete in the HC this year would not have got an equal share this year. There is no legal requirement for the WRU to distribute this cash in the first place to the Blues. The sponsorship contract held by the WRU with the BBC and the HC therefore means this actually belongs to them. The Blues can argue they have entitlement to this money but from a legal stand point there are no contracts signed on the distribution of WRU money. The WRU are after all entitled to distribute this to member clubs/regions how they see fit.