Welsh clubs back Anglo-French tournament

by thomh Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:35 pm

First topic message reminder :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24632135

Didn't see that coming, though I haven't been following this particularly closely.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:14 pm

Nickolas,

do it and frame them as a day the cowards won.

by stub Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:17 pm

I think the predicted teeth gnashing has now started. Blimey, it's not that bad...

by Breadvan Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:17 pm

So when Glasgow say they support it, then what?

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:18 pm

Intotouch wrote:I wonder why they have done this at this moment? Do they see themselves as having more money and power through this deal? If this is so then why did they wait so long to say that they would join? Something else has happened to prompt this. Perhaps a clash with the WRU.

As far as changing the dynamics of the conflict I don't see that this will actually make much difference. It may encourage the franglos but the IRB and the unions still have the final say in cross border competitions. It's one more party to help fund the court cases but unless this stance changes how the WRU will act I'm not sure how it will influence proceedings.

why now?

yes more money £1.7m per team vs the £1.1m they currently get from WRU for HC participation

ERC mtg tomorrow. so if anyone was wavering at this "delicate" stage of negotiations, WRR have thought this is the right moment to lay their cards on the table.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:21 pm

So the arch capitulators have capitulated - no surprise for anyone else in the Rabo tbh

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:22 pm

doctornickolas wrote:The Welsh regions have always bitten the hand that feeds it so there is no surprise that the snake oil salesmen that run the regions have bent over for the Franglos to undermine the WRU. Their agreement with the WRU runs out at the end of the year. There is nothing to say that these regions in their current form will exist after that. But they are too stupid to realize that.

I would like to see the WRU not renew the participation agreement with them. They can then set up new, proper regions like they should have in the first place. These teams will then get entered in to the Rabo and any new European competition.

The Regions have sold out their Celtic and Italian colleagues as far as I am concerned. I for one feel ashamed. I will never buy another ticket for a Welsh regional game. I was ordering 4 Cardiff Blues shirts for my daughter and nieces but that will not now happen.

This is a very real concern. The timing of this statement suggests that perhaps the negotiations haven't gone as well as many had thought. Contrary to some of the optimism demonstrated on here. I would hope that this sorry saga will be concluded with all clubs remaining on board, and competing against one another in whatever new competition takes shape. As you suggest, this might not happen now.

by Sin é Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:22 pm

VietGwentRevisited wrote:
Sin é wrote:
Metal Tiger wrote:What I find interesting is the quietness of the Irish on this. I would say the italians too but not really any vocal italians on here to which we can gauge their point of view.

The IRU & the provinces appear to have maintained a unified approach so I expect them to jointly state their position soon.

Roger Lewis seems to have painted himself into a corner by publically spanking the regions and threatening reprisals if they don't fall in line. As mentioned previously there has been tension between the WRU and RRW for a couple of years. Could this be a prelude to civil war?

I think massive credit has to be given to the RFU in this saga. Whilst many people on here demanded the RFU to get off the fence, instead they have not took sides and quietly played the mediator role. The end of this mess is in sight.
The IRFU and the Provinces are one and the same. All the provincial players, coaches & staff are employees of the IRFU. The provincial CEOs report to the IRFU's CEO, Philip Browne.

Why do people have difficulty in understanding this?
Does not mean they always agree on the correct course of action. There have been plenty of indications that talks have been made since the Dublin meeting in May with Provincial administrators. The content of this has probably been passed upstairs, but it would be extremely naive to assume that the CEOs of the provinces have not had discussions with their counterparts in england and France.

Of course they are not always going to agree with HQ, but the bottom line is the IRFU signs the cheques. The CEOs can talk all they like to other club ceo's, but its a waste of time. They do not own the provinces. The IRFU do.

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:25 pm

Breadvan wrote:So when Glasgow say they support it, then what?

They won't. the only decision in Scotland can come from the SRU. If Dodson supports a deal I am sure he will have got a satisfactory compromise

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:26 pm

Apologies chaps (& chapesses), but the smell of avarice and cowardice is all over this. Well done. Rot for all I care clap

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:27 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Intotouch wrote:I wonder why they have done this at this moment? Do they see themselves as having more money and power through this deal? If this is so then why did they wait so long to say that they would join? Something else has happened to prompt this. Perhaps a clash with the WRU.

As far as changing the dynamics of the conflict I don't see that this will actually make much difference. It may encourage the franglos but the IRB and the unions still have the final say in cross border competitions. It's one more party to help fund the court cases but unless this stance changes how the WRU will act I'm not sure how it will influence proceedings.
why now?

yes more money £1.7m per team vs the £1.1m they currently get from WRU for HC participation

ERC mtg tomorrow. so if anyone was wavering at this "delicate" stage of negotiations, WRR have thought this is the right moment to lay their cards on the table.

Would you ever refrain from making things up? None of us know any of the detail as yet.

One possibility when considering the timing of the statement is that the negotiations have not went well at all, with the statement released at this time in the hope of adding pressure upon WRU as they enter discussions with the other Unions.

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:28 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes the lap dogs are off with their masters - always happens !

don't worry schizo. everyone knows dogs are all pack animals so i look forwards to the SRU throwing their lot in soon, as no-one can afford to be on their own here.

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:29 pm

Its certainly possible to e the welsh clubs have been offered a preferential deal to break the concensus. However its a risky strategy and the WRU can just withdraw support

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:32 pm

Munchkin wrote:
doctornickolas wrote:The Welsh regions have always bitten the hand that feeds it so there is no surprise that the snake oil salesmen that run the regions have bent over for the Franglos to undermine the WRU. Their agreement with the WRU runs out at the end of the year. There is nothing to say that these regions in their current form will exist after that. But they are too stupid to realize that.

I would like to see the WRU not renew the participation agreement with them. They can then set up new, proper regions like they should have in the first place. These teams will then get entered in to the Rabo and any new European competition.

The Regions have sold out their Celtic and Italian colleagues as far as I am concerned. I for one feel ashamed. I will never buy another ticket for a Welsh regional game. I was ordering 4 Cardiff Blues shirts for my daughter and nieces but that will not now happen.

This is a very real concern. The timing of this statement suggests that perhaps the negotiations haven't gone as well as many had thought. Contrary to some of the optimism demonstrated on here. I would hope that this sorry saga will be concluded with all clubs remaining on board, and competing against one another in whatever new competition takes shape. As you suggest, this might not happen now.

well lets just hope if the WRu have another go at top-dwon reshaping of pro club rugby in wales, they do it a bit better than their first effort in 2003. am sure whatever the blazers and egos come up with at WRu it will be even less well supported that what they came up with last time. hard to see anyone wanting to be a diehard han of a club/region that may or may not exist for very long if Rog Lewis decides they are not toeing the line adequately.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:34 pm

Meanwhile back in the real world we and our Irish (and Italian) friends should continue to humiliate them at every opportunity .

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:36 pm

Sin é wrote:
VietGwentRevisited wrote:
Sin é wrote:
Metal Tiger wrote:What I find interesting is the quietness of the Irish on this. I would say the italians too but not really any vocal italians on here to which we can gauge their point of view.

The IRU & the provinces appear to have maintained a unified approach so I expect them to jointly state their position soon.

Roger Lewis seems to have painted himself into a corner by publically spanking the regions and threatening reprisals if they don't fall in line. As mentioned previously there has been tension between the WRU and RRW for a couple of years. Could this be a prelude to civil war?

I think massive credit has to be given to the RFU in this saga. Whilst many people on here demanded the RFU to get off the fence, instead they have not took sides and quietly played the mediator role. The end of this mess is in sight.
The IRFU and the Provinces are one and the same. All the provincial players, coaches & staff are employees of the IRFU. The provincial CEOs report to the IRFU's CEO, Philip Browne.

Why do people have difficulty in understanding this?
Does not mean they always agree on the correct course of action. There have been plenty of indications that talks have been made since the Dublin meeting in May with Provincial administrators. The content of this has probably been passed upstairs, but it would be extremely naive to assume that the CEOs of the provinces have not had discussions with their counterparts in england and France.
Of course they are not always going to agree with HQ, but the bottom line is the IRFU signs the cheques. The CEOs can talk all they like to other club ceo's, but its a waste of time. They do not own the provinces. The IRFU do.

do you recognise, sin e, that the only reason the irish provinces are quietly hoping a unified celtec front will preserve the status quo, is that they are, without double, the biggest beneficiaries of the current arrangement? and if you do (not a controversial statement) are you surprised they are not leading the charge into the RCC?

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:39 pm

Quins - stop with the cowpat. Irish are not the biggest beneficiaries - Scotland are. Ireland have been running a dignified silence,
All the Rabo unions will accept reasonable compromise - just not being bent over and rodgered by the PRL as they have tried to do

Stop racking up the antagonism levels there's a good chap

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:40 pm

Munchkin wrote:
quinsforever wrote:
Intotouch wrote:I wonder why they have done this at this moment? Do they see themselves as having more money and power through this deal? If this is so then why did they wait so long to say that they would join? Something else has happened to prompt this. Perhaps a clash with the WRU.

As far as changing the dynamics of the conflict I don't see that this will actually make much difference. It may encourage the franglos but the IRB and the unions still have the final say in cross border competitions. It's one more party to help fund the court cases but unless this stance changes how the WRU will act I'm not sure how it will influence proceedings.
why now?

yes more money £1.7m per team vs the £1.1m they currently get from WRU for HC participation

ERC mtg tomorrow. so if anyone was wavering at this "delicate" stage of negotiations, WRR have thought this is the right moment to lay their cards on the table.
Would you ever refrain from making things up? None of us know any of the detail as yet.

One possibility when considering the timing of the statement is that the negotiations have not went well at all, with the statement released at this time in the hope of adding pressure upon WRU as they enter discussions with the other Unions.

these numbers i take from a welsh rugby forum where they appear to be very focused on and largely agreed upon by everyone on both sides of the debate. remember they are far more focused on the economics of wrr vs wru. i dont want to do 606v2 the disrespect of linking to another forum, but its pretty easy to find

by **Notch** Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:41 pm

Sin é wrote:Of course they are not always going to agree with HQ, but the bottom line is the IRFU signs the cheques. The CEOs can talk all they like to other club ceo's, but its a waste of time. They do not own the provinces. The IRFU do.

To elaborate on Sin Es point.

The IRFU own Thomond Park. The IRFU own Ravenhill- Leinster and Connacht both lease their grounds long term. All professional rugby players in Ireland are contracted to the IRFU, the provinces repay the value of the contracts to the IRFU at the end of the financial year except for some centrally contracted internationals but the players contract is between them and the IRFU, not them and the province.

The IRFU is the only organisation that matters in Ireland- they own half the provincial grounds and employ all of the players. There's no-one else to talk to.

Are we really the biggest benificiaries? Most years if the top half of the Celtic League all qualified we would have exactly the same representation.

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:43 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
doctornickolas wrote:The Welsh regions have always bitten the hand that feeds it so there is no surprise that the snake oil salesmen that run the regions have bent over for the Franglos to undermine the WRU. Their agreement with the WRU runs out at the end of the year. There is nothing to say that these regions in their current form will exist after that. But they are too stupid to realize that.

I would like to see the WRU not renew the participation agreement with them. They can then set up new, proper regions like they should have in the first place. These teams will then get entered in to the Rabo and any new European competition.

The Regions have sold out their Celtic and Italian colleagues as far as I am concerned. I for one feel ashamed. I will never buy another ticket for a Welsh regional game. I was ordering 4 Cardiff Blues shirts for my daughter and nieces but that will not now happen.

This is a very real concern. The timing of this statement suggests that perhaps the negotiations haven't gone as well as many had thought. Contrary to some of the optimism demonstrated on here. I would hope that this sorry saga will be concluded with all clubs remaining on board, and competing against one another in whatever new competition takes shape. As you suggest, this might not happen now.
well lets just hope if the WRu have another go at top-dwon reshaping of pro club rugby in wales, they do it a bit better than their first effort in 2003. am sure whatever the blazers and egos come up with at WRu it will be even less well supported that what they came up with last time. hard to see anyone wanting to be a diehard han of a club/region that may or may not exist for very long if Rog Lewis decides they are not toeing the line adequately.

I won't pretend to understand the complexities, Quinns, but the impression I have after listening to more than a few of my Welsh cousins is that the WRU didn't handle the transition well at all. Having said that, I believe the regions are growing, and will continue to grow as long as they remain.
We don't know. Maybe just an unfounded concern at this point, and I still hope that a reasonable resolution will be found that can accommodate all concerned.

by Sin é Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:46 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Sin é wrote:
VietGwentRevisited wrote:
Sin é wrote:
Metal Tiger wrote:What I find interesting is the quietness of the Irish on this. I would say the italians too but not really any vocal italians on here to which we can gauge their point of view.

The IRU & the provinces appear to have maintained a unified approach so I expect them to jointly state their position soon.

Roger Lewis seems to have painted himself into a corner by publically spanking the regions and threatening reprisals if they don't fall in line. As mentioned previously there has been tension between the WRU and RRW for a couple of years. Could this be a prelude to civil war?

I think massive credit has to be given to the RFU in this saga. Whilst many people on here demanded the RFU to get off the fence, instead they have not took sides and quietly played the mediator role. The end of this mess is in sight.
The IRFU and the Provinces are one and the same. All the provincial players, coaches & staff are employees of the IRFU. The provincial CEOs report to the IRFU's CEO, Philip Browne.

Why do people have difficulty in understanding this?
Does not mean they always agree on the correct course of action. There have been plenty of indications that talks have been made since the Dublin meeting in May with Provincial administrators. The content of this has probably been passed upstairs, but it would be extremely naive to assume that the CEOs of the provinces have not had discussions with their counterparts in england and France.
Of course they are not always going to agree with HQ, but the bottom line is the IRFU signs the cheques. The CEOs can talk all they like to other club ceo's, but its a waste of time. They do not own the provinces. The IRFU do.
do you recognise, sin e, that the only reason the irish provinces are quietly hoping a unified celtec front will preserve the status quo, is that they are, without double, the biggest beneficiaries of the current arrangement? and if you do (not a controversial statement) are you surprised they are not leading the charge into the RCC?

How are the Irish the biggest beneficiaries. Based on meritocracy (repeatedly winning the competition), the Irish clubs are where they are. Your RCC isn't going to be much of a European Competition if the Irish Clubs are not there.

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:46 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
quinsforever wrote:
Intotouch wrote:I wonder why they have done this at this moment? Do they see themselves as having more money and power through this deal? If this is so then why did they wait so long to say that they would join? Something else has happened to prompt this. Perhaps a clash with the WRU.

As far as changing the dynamics of the conflict I don't see that this will actually make much difference. It may encourage the franglos but the IRB and the unions still have the final say in cross border competitions. It's one more party to help fund the court cases but unless this stance changes how the WRU will act I'm not sure how it will influence proceedings.
why now?

yes more money £1.7m per team vs the £1.1m they currently get from WRU for HC participation

ERC mtg tomorrow. so if anyone was wavering at this "delicate" stage of negotiations, WRR have thought this is the right moment to lay their cards on the table.
Would you ever refrain from making things up? None of us know any of the detail as yet.

One possibility when considering the timing of the statement is that the negotiations have not went well at all, with the statement released at this time in the hope of adding pressure upon WRU as they enter discussions with the other Unions.
these numbers i take from a welsh rugby forum where they appear to be very focused on and largely agreed upon by everyone on both sides of the debate. remember they are far more focused on the economics of wrr vs wru. i dont want to do 606v2 the disrespect of linking to another forum, but its pretty easy to find

Yep, a Welsh rugby forum is the go-to place for all facts relating to the fine detail. I should have realised. Silly me Very Happy

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:46 pm

TJ wrote:Quins - stop with the cowpat. Irish are not the biggest beneficiaries - Scotland are. Ireland have been running a dignified silence,
All the Rabo unions will accept reasonable compromise - just not being bent over and rodgered by the PRL as they have tried to do

Stop racking up the antagonism levels there's a good chap

scotland biggest beneficiaries in HC monies per team. ireland biggest beneficiaries in how important HC is to their national rugby culture - ROG quote "many irish players see HC as more important than 6N"

biggest beneficiaries in terms of performance, attendance, revenues at gameday etc? clearly the Irish. you can pretend its scotland, but avg attendance of your pro clubs of 7k or thereabouts is completely uneconomic vs the irish provinces. plus the 15% of HC revenues distributed as merit payments is a nice extra benefit to the irish provinces in the last few years.

by **profitius** Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:50 pm

This could turn out to be a massive blunder by the regions. They're weakened the Pro 12 position and that will not be forgotten.

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:51 pm

Quins - when in a hole stop digging. there is so much wrong with that post its not even funny.

Dunno why you are trying to antagonise others on this - enough bad blood already and normally you are civil (if wrong Whistle

)

by **Notch** Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:51 pm

Yeah but when you say beneficiaries, maybe I wrongly get the impression that you imply we benefit without putting much back in.

Whereas we are actually contributors, we have contributed as much as any other nation to the success of the competition. The Heineken Cup has been key to the success of the provinces but likewise the success of the provinces has been key to the Heineken Cup. If you look the biggest crowds of the season for the provinces are for Heineken Cup games, but our averages for Pro12 are comparable to English and French sides whereas the Welsh, Scottish and Italians lag behind.

We are now more sustainable without ERC money than the Welsh are- there's a reason its the Welsh regions rushing to break cover now it looks like all six nations are ready to sign up to a new accord.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:52 pm

And it shows too - viz. Leinster, Munster and Ulster

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:53 pm

profitius wrote:This could turn out to be a massive blunder by the regions. They're weakened the Pro 12 position and that will not be forgotten.

I think one of two things have happened
1) there is a deal on the table satisfactory to all and the welsh clubs have reacted first ( but I very much doubt it)
2) the welsh clubs have just blinked first and will be dealt with by the WRU for this possibly up to disbanding.

by **Notch** Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:55 pm

TJ wrote:
profitius wrote:This could turn out to be a massive blunder by the regions. They're weakened the Pro 12 position and that will not be forgotten.
I think one of two things have happened
1) there is a deal on the table satisfactory to all and the welsh clubs have reacted first ( but I very much doubt it)
2) the welsh clubs have just blinked first and will be dealt with by the WRU for this possibly up to disbanding.

I would be of the opinion that this is definitely what has happened.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:57 pm

TJ,

you are a good and wise fella- take over I an tired (& emotional) !

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:57 pm

It would be nice notch if so. the PRL would have to move a long long way. I find it surprising in that case the welsh clubs moved without the union

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:58 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:TJ,

you are a good and wise fella- take over I an tired (& emotional) !

Its allgoing round in circles

by **profitius** Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:58 pm

quinsforever wrote:
TJ wrote:Quins - stop with the cowpat. Irish are not the biggest beneficiaries - Scotland are. Ireland have been running a dignified silence,
All the Rabo unions will accept reasonable compromise - just not being bent over and rodgered by the PRL as they have tried to do

Stop racking up the antagonism levels there's a good chap
scotland biggest beneficiaries in HC monies per team. ireland biggest beneficiaries in how important HC is to their national rugby culture - ROG quote "many irish players see HC as more important than 6N"

biggest beneficiaries in terms of performance, attendance, revenues at gameday etc? clearly the Irish. you can pretend its scotland, but avg attendance of your pro clubs of 7k or thereabouts is completely uneconomic vs the irish provinces. plus the 15% of HC revenues distributed as merit payments is a nice extra benefit to the irish provinces in the last few years.

I've never seen anyone back that up only the opposite. Any figures to back up that claim? The PRL have run a good propaganda compaign based on sky sports subscribers from England. That does not take into account the value of the Irish teams to the tournament. Thats a totally different argument and seems to be hard to grasp for some people.

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:59 pm

TJ wrote:Quins - when in a hole stop digging. there is so much wrong with that post its not even funny.

Dunno why you are trying to antagonise others on this - enough bad blood already and normally you are civil (if wrong )

not trying to antagonise anyone. i have always said i thought this would be the way things would go. i understand why some posters are angry. but dont blame me. at the end of the day, money talks. which is what i always said, and why WRR have put out that statement. and it wont be the last.

as for irish clubs. i see everyone is getting upset at the term beneficiaries. ok let me rephrase - which country would least like to see anything changed about the HC? in which country is HC, to some fans and players, more important than 6N and RWC?

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:00 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:TJ,

you are a good and wise fella- take over I an tired (& emotional) !

LOL i remember that phrase schizo. its a tiring and emotional topic Smile

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:01 pm

I think that, as usual, everyone is second guessing and 'gnashing their teeth' based on one small news report with a few sound bites from RRW. 21st Century Schizoid Man has become like a rabid dog (again) after reading a few lines from the BBC (if in fact he did read it)! You can't go around throwing accusations based on so few details. It doesn't make sense! It's like forming your opinions on little green aliens from solely reading The Sun!

Wait for the full facts to come out. That's much more intelligent!

by Standulstermen Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:07 pm

Allegedly Roger Lewis has released a statement backing RRW. The welsh now have the dubious honour of raising the white flag before the French laughing

It will be interesting to see just what agreement has been reached but it doesn't look good for the unions at this point

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:07 pm

OK Griff. Have a look on The Warriors forum and check the temperature there!

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:14 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:OK Griff. Have a look on The Warriors forum and check the temperature there!

Grown men getting flustered on the internet. Awesome.

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:15 pm

Notch wrote:Yeah but when you say beneficiaries, maybe I wrongly get the impression that you imply we benefit without putting much back in.

Whereas we are actually contributors, we have contributed as much as any other nation to the success of the competition. The Heineken Cup has been key to the success of the provinces but likewise the success of the provinces has been key to the Heineken Cup. If you look the biggest crowds of the season for the provinces are for Heineken Cup games, but our averages for Pro12 are comparable to English and French sides whereas the Welsh, Scottish and Italians lag behind.

We are now more sustainable without ERC money than the Welsh are- there's a reason its the Welsh regions rushing to break cover now it looks like all six nations are ready to sign up to a new accord.

no, i think the irish contribute an enormous amount back into the HC. beneficiaries was meant in the sense that the ways things are is most satisfactory to the irish provinces, ie you get the most benefit (emotionally, spiritually, financially, successfully) from the tournament out of the celtic nations. i dont think its that controversial a statement. nothing to do with subsidies or transfer payments, just the importance of HC for your provinces and fans.

by Hubert Davenport Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:15 pm

Great news. Bye bye ERC. Can't wait to see the Irish fold now. Totally predictable sabre rattling by a group of Celtic nations that don't have a pot to pi55 in! Brilliant.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:15 pm

It goes along these lines:-

The WRU either stands up or ceases to exist.[/quote]as we know, they are but a small part of England. They have not existed for a long time.[/quote]

by mr-bryns-attitude Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:16 pm

Notch wrote:
TJ wrote:
profitius wrote:This could turn out to be a massive blunder by the regions. They're weakened the Pro 12 position and that will not be forgotten.
I think one of two things have happened
1) there is a deal on the table satisfactory to all and the welsh clubs have reacted first ( but I very much doubt it)
2) the welsh clubs have just blinked first and will be dealt with by the WRU for this possibly up to disbanding.
I would be of the opinion that this is definitely what has happened.

notch is correct a deal has been reached. the wru could bankrupt the regions within six months if they chose to jump into bed with the franglos,the welsh regions are totally reliant on WRU monies and are powerless to act independently, I fully expect good news from the other celtic unions soon.

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:18 pm

Some seriously pathetic anti-welsh comments being fired around on various forums tonight (a few fun pages here). If the regions feel that it is in their best interests to support a particular tournament then they have every right to do so, the welsh in general shouldn't be subjected to vitriolic crap because of this.

by Guest Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:19 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:It goes along these lines:-

The WRU either stands up or ceases to exist.

as we know, they are but a small part of England. They have not existed for a long time.[/quote][/quote]
Actually this is a quote from the site:

"LastKnight wrote:
The welsh are a filthy little tribe masquerading as a Celtic Nation. Time to fix bayonets."

Nice supporters lads (and ladies). Real nice.

by Jhamer25 Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:20 pm

WTF did they say that. I just think the WRU and Regions like nipping at each other just to wind each other up. It all very childish
Should have kept their mouth shut, idiots.

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:21 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:It goes along these lines:-

The WRU either stands up or ceases to exist.

as we know, they are but a small part of England. They have not existed for a long time.[/quote][/quote]why not put the original quote in there schizo...

"The welsh are a filthy little tribe masquerading as a Celtic Nation. Time to fix bayonets.

The WRU either stands up or ceases to exist."

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:22 pm

Guys - stop raising the temperature here please - its heated enough on this topic without deliberately inflammatory statements. Even quoting other places is bad enough. this is one of the more civil forums around - lets keep it that way

by SecretFly Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:24 pm

How many distinct voices is that at the table now?

The RFU - on the fence (allegedly! Wink

)
The FFR
The SRU
The WRU
The FIR
The IRFU

Plus:

The PRL
The LNR
The RRW

Hmmm............. that's how many votes? Nine? - It is all about votes ain't it?

What the world needs now is love sweet lov..................... no, what it needs is yet another acronym to join the fun and demand another vote.

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you PRI - now where's our F**king Vote, people??!!! mad

And I might invent another overseeing organisation for the Provincial Academies overnight as I sleep on it. Beware the Acronyms!

by quinsforever Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:24 pm

TJ wrote:Guys - stop raising the temperature here please - its heated enough on this topic without deliberately inflammatory statements. Even quoting other places is bad enough. this is one of the more civil forums around - lets keep it that way

sorry TJ, but i cant help finding it a bit amusing rather than inflammatory. i'm so used to being depicted as the dastardly english that i'm fairly thick skinned. in fact had that quote been about the english i would have thought it was genuinely witty. it's not often i get to giggle at a quote where the english aren't directly mentioned somewhere.

by TJ Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:25 pm

Can the MFLs get a vote? Or at least a corner to shout from?

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