Cardiff Blues squad and off-field updates.

First topic message reminder :

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

Smirnoffpriest wrote:End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

Amen

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

The blues fold? Yes please.
Feeder club to Newport? Doubt it.

Stone Motif wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

Amen

Interesting answer.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

Nonesence. To be honest it is far more likely that if the Blues were looking like folding the WRU would push to merge the Dragons and Blues to the Cardiff Dragons (so they can play at CAP if required), and play 2 games a year at Dave, and the rest at the CCS/CAP.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

The blues fold? Yes please.
Feeder club to Newport? Doubt it.

You want your own team to fold???

That's an incredible attitude for a support of the team - why would you like to see the Blues fold and leave only 3 regions in Wales with no team in the capital?

EDIT - that should be 'professional' team (of course they'll always have the amateur Cardiff RFC & Glam Wanderers)

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

The blues fold? Yes please.
Feeder club to Newport? Doubt it.

You want your own team to fold???

That's an incredible attitude for a support of the team - why would you like to see the Blues fold and leave only 3 regions in Wales with no team in the capital?

If he want the Blues to disappear, then he is clearly not a Blues supporter (as those views are mutually exclusive)...sounds more like a dragons fan, they hate the Blues too

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

End result P Thomas packs it in, the Blues fold and the fans have to support Cardiff RFC as a feeder club to the Dragons.

The blues fold? Yes please.
Feeder club to Newport? Doubt it.

You want your own team to fold???

That's an incredible attitude for a support of the team - why would you like to see the Blues fold and leave only 3 regions in Wales with no team in the capital?

The only reason I said that is i've heard it's a possible way to get out of the crippling stadium deal then the team can start up again under new management etc.

So you mean send your team into administration, chuck out P Thomas who owns a significant amount of the Blues and has pumped a lot of money into it, hugely damage the club and then hope for a white knight investor to come in to move the region back closer to it's Cardiff RFC roots and invest a fair bit of money doing up CAP.

And then the fans will actually turn up...

That's a huge risk just to get out of a stadium deal...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:That's a huge risk just to get out of a stadium deal...

Thomas took a risk moving to CCS and the project has massively backfired.
Their were others willing to take over the reigns, but i'm not so sure they would be interested now since the cost of being at CCS make it less attractive.
Something is going to happen in the near future. What exactly, I don't know.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:That's a huge risk just to get out of a stadium deal...

Thomas took a risk moving to CCS and the project has massively backfired.
Their were others willing to take over the reigns, but i'm not so sure they would be interested now since the cost of being at CCS make it less attractive.
Something is going to happen in the near future. What exactly, I don't know.

Well it could go the way you want but equally it could end up with the Blues going to the wall!

It's just a shame as off the back of the HEC Semi, the Amlin Cup and EDF cup wins and the good attendances a bit of positivity could have seen things snowball and the Blues get 15k/17k attendances at CCS easy but it didn't happen that way and lots of in fighting, disillusionment and bitching has lead to a dramatic decrease in attendance resulting in not being able to keep players - doesn't help that they're currently playing very poor rugby as well

Smirnoffpriest wrote:So you mean send your team into administration, chuck out P Thomas who owns a significant amount of the Blues and has pumped a lot of money into it, hugely damage the club and then hope for a white knight investor to come in to move the region back closer to it's Cardiff RFC roots and invest a fair bit of money doing up CAP.

And then the fans will actually turn up...

No idea Smirnhoff. I don't know how it works, but i've read that it could be a solution.
All I know is that CCS isn't working and the problem needs fixing.

But theyve agreed to play games at CAP...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:But theyve agreed to play games at CAP...

They still would have to pay the rent and costs at CCS even if a few games were shifted to CAP. Bonkers isn't it.

Actually it's double bonkers since Cardiff Blues pay the yearly rent and costs for both CCS and CAP and have done since they moved.

But the Athletics club that owns the CAP are major shareholders so surely the rent shouldn't be too much on the CAP (as they are almost paying themselves) not withstanding the problems between Pete and the Athletics club.

But surely the Blues bending to the fans wishes and beginning to initiate a move back to the CAP shows they are more than likely looking at exit strategies from the CCS (and if their isn't any way out of the contract then the boycotting of the CCS is doubly damaging and could well sink the club)

Smirnoffpriest wrote:But the Athletics club that owns the CAP are major shareholders so surely the rent shouldn't be too much on the CAP (as they are almost paying themselves) not withstanding the problems between Pete and the Athletics club.

But surely the Blues bending to the fans wishes and beginning to initiate a move back to the CAP shows they are more than likely looking at exit strategies from the CCS (and if their isn't any way out of the contract then the boycotting of the CCS is doubly damaging and could well sink the club)

98k for CAP which is a bargain and the place makes a profit.
As you say, CAC are the major shareholders and its chairman is on the board of Cardiff Blues. Good bloke and you should hear his opinions on CCS and other related stuff.
Cardiff Blues were losing shed loads when I was a season ticket holder at CCS. If I renewed along with a couple of hundred others it wouldn't make a difference to the dire financial situation.
It's not just the fans who want a return to CAP. The players would prefer it too along with the management and even some board members. In fact some board members thought it a bad idea in the first place to move from CAP and they have been proven to be right.

It should be compulsory for the regions/superclubs to have any major financial spend (actually, anything over £100 would be sensible, given their track records) signed off by the WRU.

The WRU could employ an independent professional, for a modest part-time fee, to be impartial and analytical in pointing out that financial craziness like
£500k pa rent to share a massive football stadium, or deferred interest multi-million pound loans from local authorities, is gross idiocy.

Bound to save money in the long run.

Casartelli wrote:It should be compulsory for the regions/superclubs to have any major financial spend (actually, anything over £100 would be sensible, given their track records) signed off by the WRU.

The WRU could employ an independent professional, for a modest part-time fee, to be impartial and analytical in pointing out that financial craziness like
£500k pa rent to share a massive football stadium, or deferred interest multi-million pound loans from local authorities, is gross idiocy.

Bound to save money in the long run.

I completely agree, the WRU should have a lot more say in the regions - particularly their finances.

Roger Lewis has got the WRU turning a heafty profit and is running things very well at the top (despite arguments over ticket prices and number of games), the WRU are funding the regions and should have more authority over them, rather than leaving them in the hands of a few wealthy investors - PT pretty much controls the Blues, and can kick out anybody he doesn't want (although apparently he would like to leave the Blues, if he can get his money back)

Original post updated

Just heard that Cuthbert may put on a WRU part-funded contract at the Blues.

heard from where? Is this a type of smaller centralised contract thing for Cuthbert?

www.thearmspark.co.uk

that's where he tends to get his info, Smirnoff

Cuthbert staying would be good - but they really need to find a front row from somewhere. That must be imperative. Whether it involves Owens at hooker or the signing of some spare props from somewhere (Bevington et al) - who cares - they NEED to be able to scrummage.

Either that, or Scott Andrews gets a long and painful pre-season practising his technique.

Also - for player retention - they should probably get these contracts signed before the end of the season - just in case the Dragons leapfrog them.

Certainly - the Dragons have the better end of season run in.

gcBlues wrote:www.thearmspark.co.uk

that's where he tends to get his info, Smirnoff

Yep, just thought it was an interesting comment. The WRU will want to keep Cuthbert in Wales and the Blues are dragging their feet.

wales606 wrote:

gcBlues wrote:www.thearmspark.co.uk

that's where he tends to get his info, Smirnoff

Yep, just thought it was an interesting comment. The WRU will want to keep Cuthbert in Wales and the Blues are dragging their feet.

If they haven't the funds to do it...what then?

oxring wrote:Cuthbert staying would be good - but they really need to find a front row from somewhere. That must be imperative. Whether it involves Owens at hooker or the signing of some spare props from somewhere (Bevington et al) - who cares - they NEED to be able to scrummage.

Either that, or Scott Andrews gets a long and painful pre-season practising his technique.

Also - for player retention - they should probably get these contracts signed before the end of the season - just in case the Dragons leapfrog them.

Certainly - the Dragons have the better end of season run in.

Sam Hobbs is a promising LHP, and will likely be first choice next season.

Andrews is a poor scrummager, but, experience is the best way to improve scrummaging. The Blues front row might be demolished next season (they normally are anyway), but both Hobbs and Andrews have potential to improve (and both are good in the loose)

Owens would be a good signing, though I would like to see Dacey given a chance.

The Blues could use a big signing in the front row, and will need some depth - but if it doesnt happen, at least we will be developing a couple of young welsh props.

oxring wrote:

wales606 wrote:

gcBlues wrote:www.thearmspark.co.uk

that's where he tends to get his info, Smirnoff

Yep, just thought it was an interesting comment. The WRU will want to keep Cuthbert in Wales and the Blues are dragging their feet.

If they haven't the funds to do it...what then?

I think that is why the WRU are getting involved.

The Blues have a lot of back 3 players, and may be thinking they cant afford the expense of putting a new contract for Cuthbert after he has been so successful (which is a bit stupid, but I don't know the full extent of the financial problem) - Cuthbert is in his first season of pro rugby, and the WRU will not want him to leave Wales, Gethin, Charteris etc have been around a long time so the WRU accept them leaving - But if North or Cuthbert were to consider leaving, it would be bad for PR and for Welsh rugby.

oi, hands off Owens, he's staying at the Scarlets diolch!

...let alone how bad it would be for the Blues themselves.

Although it might push Harry Robinson along a bit in his development. He'll have to front up if Cuthbert goes - he might be getting a bit more action than he otherwise thought.

Alternatively - there's Kristian Phillips who is currently not needed by the O's and Prydie who is playing for the oh so successful Wasps outfit. Either of them would probably move somewhere for first team action. Probably for not all that much money, either.

wales606 wrote:

oxring wrote:Cuthbert staying would be good - but they really need to find a front row from somewhere. That must be imperative. Whether it involves Owens at hooker or the signing of some spare props from somewhere (Bevington et al) - who cares - they NEED to be able to scrummage.

Either that, or Scott Andrews gets a long and painful pre-season practising his technique.

Also - for player retention - they should probably get these contracts signed before the end of the season - just in case the Dragons leapfrog them.

Certainly - the Dragons have the better end of season run in.

Sam Hobbs is a promising LHP, and will likely be first choice next season.

Andrews is a poor scrummager, but, experience is the best way to improve scrummaging. The Blues front row might be demolished next season (they normally are anyway), but both Hobbs and Andrews have potential to improve (and both are good in the loose)

Owens would be a good signing, though I would like to see Dacey given a chance.

The Blues could use a big signing in the front row, and will need some depth - but if it doesnt happen, at least we will be developing a couple of young welsh props.

My outlook exactly. If they're going to sign someone - don't sign another foreigner. That's not racist - its common sense. I dread to think of the wage bill they are spending on Rush, Tito and Blair - that they could be using to keep Cuthbert.

In terms of crowd attractions - I don't think Tito, Blair and even Rush match up to Cuthbert, especially on the back of GS2012. Given that crowd attraction seems to be relatively important and with the Blues currently playing with all the appeal of a rotting carcass with Parks at FH - they really need to keep young Alex.

oxring wrote:...let alone how bad it would be for the Blues themselves.

Although it might push Harry Robinson along a bit in his development. He'll have to front up if Cuthbert goes - he might be getting a bit more action than he otherwise thought.

Alternatively - there's Kristian Phillips who is currently not needed by the O's and Prydie who is playing for the oh so successful Wasps outfit. Either of them would probably move somewhere for first team action. Probably for not all that much money, either.

Blues back 3 options

Chris Czekaj
Richard Mustoe
Leigh Halfpenny
Tom James
Ben Blair
Harry Robinson
Alex Cuthbert

Most of those would be starting at the other regions (bar Scarlets)

Of those, only Halfpenny and Cuthbert will be demanding a bughe wage next season (Blair may be NWQ, but his kicking is invaluable and is likely to be offered a year extension on his contract - which is fair enough considering how hard he has worked, and how much money he has spent to get back from his injury, he is also likely to be very good value for money)

I would love to see our wage bill cut by having the O's/Dragon take James and Mustoe off our hands - Robinson needs more gametime in 15s.

oxring wrote:

wales606 wrote:

oxring wrote:Cuthbert staying would be good - but they really need to find a front row from somewhere. That must be imperative. Whether it involves Owens at hooker or the signing of some spare props from somewhere (Bevington et al) - who cares - they NEED to be able to scrummage.

Either that, or Scott Andrews gets a long and painful pre-season practising his technique.

Also - for player retention - they should probably get these contracts signed before the end of the season - just in case the Dragons leapfrog them.

Certainly - the Dragons have the better end of season run in.

Sam Hobbs is a promising LHP, and will likely be first choice next season.

Andrews is a poor scrummager, but, experience is the best way to improve scrummaging. The Blues front row might be demolished next season (they normally are anyway), but both Hobbs and Andrews have potential to improve (and both are good in the loose)

Owens would be a good signing, though I would like to see Dacey given a chance.

The Blues could use a big signing in the front row, and will need some depth - but if it doesnt happen, at least we will be developing a couple of young welsh props.

My outlook exactly. If they're going to sign someone - don't sign another foreigner. That's not racist - its common sense. I dread to think of the wage bill they are spending on Rush, Tito and Blair - that they could be using to keep Cuthbert.

In terms of crowd attractions - I don't think Tito, Blair and even Rush match up to Cuthbert, especially on the back of GS2012. Given that crowd attraction seems to be relatively important and with the Blues currently playing with all the appeal of a rotting carcass with Parks at FH - they really need to keep young Alex.

A Georgian or Romanian prop wouldn't be expensive and they can all scrummage very well!

this could open a dangerous door, if Blues can't afford Cuthbert, the WRU shouldn't part fund a contract.

Unless the part funding for Cuthbert comes out of the Money the WRU gives the Blues, because if not it could be veiwed as extra funding for them. Maybe then Scarlets will look for the WRU to part fund Norths Contact, the Dragons Faletau etc etc.

it has to be either a certain number of central contracts or none.

Would the WRU offer to part fund Faletau if Dragons risked losing him, think it depends if he was going to another region it would be tough luck Dragons, if going to France maybe they would help.

To be honest Cuthbert, Roberts, Halfpenny work as croud attractions because they were unknowns before they made their breakthrough at the region. The Blues main draws are all players that they have brought through and guided to international satndards.

Thinking about signings that may well be usefull i would think they would look at the likes of Scott Baldwin (hooker released by the Ospreys), Simon Gardener/Bevington/Gustafson. None of them are particularly big names, but they all have potential. Also don't they have James Corsi on their books at the moment, I thought he looked like he was going to be something decent (before injuries).

Looks like the WRU intervening is accurate

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/03/30/wru-consider-partly-funding-player-contracts-in-bid-to-halt-player-drain-91466-30654707/

In true western mail fashion there is little facts in that article - it also claims that jd2 and north could b about to follow the 'exodus' to france despite both having 2 years on their contracts and expressing their wish to stay with the scarlets.

There are genuine concerns that unless something drastic is done to enable Cuthbert to stay in Wales, box-office youngsters like national captain Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Jonathan Davies could soon follow

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/03/30/wru-consider-partly-funding-player-contracts-in-bid-to-halt-player-drain-91466-30654707/#ixzz1qaR3Bu3T

Any welsh international is able to stay in the country its not exactly hard to do really. Poor reporting and poor non-story there really.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

There are genuine concerns that unless something drastic is done to enable Cuthbert to stay in Wales, box-office youngsters like national captain Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Jonathan Davies could soon follow

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/03/30/wru-consider-partly-funding-player-contracts-in-bid-to-halt-player-drain-91466-30654707/#ixzz1qaR3Bu3T

Any welsh international is able to stay in the country its not exactly hard to do really. Poor reporting and poor non-story there really.

Does that surprise you given the source? The Cardiff Comic has been reporting the "disaster" of the player exodus for a while - conveniently ignoring the facts. It must be easy to report for the Western Mail - which explains why Andy Howell has done it for so long. Pick a number of Welsh internationals - then say that they are rumoured to be moving. Once you've said it, it becomes true.

It is awful and besides the absence of facts and scaremongering in it's stories (apt word) they also do total 180's on the angel of their angle/attitude every year or so and hope nobody notices (I wouldn't be suprised if next season they'll be writting about how the Dragons should never have gotten rid of Turner and all their problems stem from that decision)

oxring wrote: It must be easy to report for the Western Mail - which explains why Andy Howell has done it for so long. Pick a number of Welsh internationals - then say that they are rumoured to be moving. Once you've said it, it becomes true.

Or as it used to be report they are going to sign for the Blues (or Cardiff RFC back in the day) right before they are meant to be playing a big game for their region/club.

31-3.
Cardiff Blues in meltdown? Debatable.
In trouble? Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!
Answers on a postcard will do for now and you're more than welcome to state the bleeding obvious.

Just be grateful that the Dragons dropped a testicle in losing to Connacht. Ohterwise the Blues would be in REAL trouble. Didn't see the dragons game but the Beeb report alluded to disagreements over the referee's interpretation of the rules - although that's no excuse for why the Connacht plodders were allowed to carve open the Dragons defence.

Anyway- last night=not a disaster for the blues. Only a disaster if the Dragons had beaten Connacht - lets face it, the Dragons have a better run in than the Blues.

Well, Henson is gone

And Roberts will miss the beginning of next season (the only time he is actually available these days)

So, our starting centres will be

12. Hewitt
13. Evans

Great.....

And if one of them gets injured its Cory Allen and Owen Williams from the academy.

... I feel for ya pal

wales606 wrote:Well, Henson is gone

And Roberts will miss the beginning of next season (the only time he is actually available these days)

So, our starting centres will be

12. Hewitt
13. Evans

Great.....

And if one of them gets injured its Cory Allen and Owen Williams from the academy.

Start with Allen and Williams! Am really nervous about Saturday - I hope the Blues can turn in a top performance and really compete hard. On recent evidence though there are reasons to be nervous - and the last thing the Blues need is an "OspreysinMunster"-esque implosion.

oxring wrote:

wales606 wrote:Well, Henson is gone

And Roberts will miss the beginning of next season (the only time he is actually available these days)

So, our starting centres will be

12. Hewitt
13. Evans

Great.....

And if one of them gets injured its Cory Allen and Owen Williams from the academy.

Start with Allen and Williams! Am really nervous about Saturday - I hope the Blues can turn in a top performance and really compete hard. On recent evidence though there are reasons to be nervous - and the last thing the Blues need is an "OspreysinMunster"-esque implosion.

Or worse a Scarlets in Leicester implosion which could very well happen, have to say I'm still suprised the Blues still haven't announced any signings besides Tovey when a load of players are leaving Henson, Lualua, Blair (rumoured), Fiilse, M Williams, Rees, Molitika (rumoured) and Rush

Leinster v Cardiff at the weekend. Nobody think ye have a hope. Leinster are a team in the capital that used to have problems with support outside south Dublin and used to underachieve. Maybe Cardiff Blues should look for some tips.

Leinster don't have a great cathedral of a stadium. They don't play in a shiny plastic soccer stadium. But they play in a fairly intimate ground that the fans love. Cardiff Blues need to get back to the old stadium. The fans prefer it and it's cheaper. No brainer.

They need to build a strong identity that people can buy into. All the most successful teams have this.

It's a made up region but invest in the academy. Home grown players from around the region inspire support. I saw it at Leinster when players like Shaggy from Meath grew support outside Dublin. Leinster have, I think, the best academy in Europe. And it shows in the strength of their squad. Blues should divert money from the wages of foreign players and invest it in the academy. It's the most cost effective long term way to build a top team.

Endeavour to play rugby the way the Welsh public want to see it played. I'm thinking more Gareth Edwards than Dan Parks in terms of style here. The swashbuckling Welsh Way should be the identity the Blues build. Go and see the Blues and you'll see exciting attacking rugby. It helped Leinster, even when they weren't the most successful team. They were a thrilling team. We define ourselves by attacking rugby, as Munster define themselves on their passion and pride.

Wales always had and always will produce talented individuals. These have been rarely moulded into great regional sides. Hire some top quality foreign coaches. Michael Cheika built the Leinster organization from scratch. Joe Schmidt has us playing brilliant rugby. I wish there were Irish coaches that could have done it. But there weren't any good enough. Neither Cheika or Schmidt were huge names in the game so Leinster didn't break the bank. Look at what Gatland does with the talent in Wales, compared to what the regions get from them.

Forget about rich benefactors buying you success. Of course you need investment. And if investors appear happy days. But that shouldn't change what Cardiff Blues focus should be. Building, bit by bit, an organization and a team that people will want to belong to and want to watch. Like I said, Wales has the rugby talent, so it's all do-able.

Well said Feckless - one thing I will say though is that the WRU funds the regional academies, but maybe what the Blues need is a good youth coach and a willingness to give youth it's head and give them 1st team experience.