Welsh Regional Rugby in a positive light...!

maestegmafia wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

oxring wrote:I genuinely believe that regional rugby is good for the Welsh game - and that returning the game to the clubs will harm the results of our national team. The regions have overseen higher standards of professionalism and the development of youth since their inception. If that could be maintained across 8 or 9 clubs - I would be all in favour - but I don't believe it can. The talent pool would become diluted - not only that and teams would end up becoming too reliatnt upon foreign imports to hold the fort. Not good for the Welsh game.

THAT SAID - the current marketing of the regions is pretty hopeless. There needs to be more involvement in schools, more encouragement in the local area. Kids need to identify.

For the first time in my life - I have been genuinely positive about the direction the WRU has been taking the game in Wales. Since Lewis took the helm, in fact, things have been steadily more positive. Equally - I cannot remember a time I was more depressed about the business decisions of what should be our two "premier" regions - based upon squad size and wealth - the Blues and the Ospreys.

The Scarlets and the Dragons have done well - B+ standard in terms of marketing and development - based largely around bringing on youth exceptionally well.

The Ospreys development of players is sad to see - they seem to take genuine talents and make them worse. When was the last time Gareth Owen had a good game (I know he's missing an ACL at the moment - but before that)? When he played under Lyn Jones away at Leinster he looked a class act - had plenty of time on the ball, a decent sidestep of either foot and decent distributive skills. Under Holley/Johnson - first he had to lose any particular position by playing fullback/centre/flyhalf/wherever else - until his form suffered and he hasn't come back. We had a decent young scrum half in Webb - so we bought Fotuali'i - who, although he has done better recently - was utterly awful initially and still relegated Webb to the bench.

Now I know that I don't get to see what goes on in training - and I don't get to see the commitment of the players - but how is that supposed to bring on the development of youth? I don't want to turn up to see young talent get steadily worse.

As for the Blues - I don't want to see some Scots carthorse kick away fantastic position on a cold wet November night. I'll stay at home at watch it on S4C instead - and the beer is cheaper too.

Until the Blues and the Ospreys start to connect with their fanbase - they aren't going to attract new fans.

Some good points there.

Where? I can't see any.

You not able to see things? I am surprised mate... You seem so lucid

Morgannwg wrote:What point Dave?