If the Welsh leave the Rabo?

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If the Welsh leave the Rabo what is the alternative for the other teams?
Can they actually leave as surely there is contract issues but primarily how will we fill the gap, do we stick with 8 teams and go to three rounds rather than two or add more teams from the other countries, or perhaps add Eastern European teams.

Arrrgggggghhhh

stop it all, i beg you

We all know our dad's are the biggest..

I expect this is exactly the sort of childish behavior which is why we are liky to have no HC next year

Hmmmm

........doesn't get away from the fact that one kid is telling the truth and the other kid is telling a lie

WalesOnline:

No resolutions were reached in the showdown talks between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union at the Liberty Stadium tonight.

Union bosses including Roger Lewis, Josh Lewsey and David Pickering left Swansea making no comment but Blues chairman Peter Thomas insisted the two-hour summit had been a constructive meeting.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four regions had met amid the wreckage of the Heineken Cup saga and in the wake of yet more Wales internationals agreeing deals elsewhere.

“We continue to try and take things forward for the betterment of Welsh rugby," said Thomas.

“There will be more meetings and it’s important we keep the dialogue.

“It was in good spirit and it is important we do things in a responsible manner.

“We are all mindful of the difficulties we are facing from a player point of view, a sustainable point of view and competition point of view.

“The English clubs are not playing in Europe and the French clubs are largely undecided.
“It is unsettling at the moment but we will continue as a responsible body to find the solutions."

On the prospect of the Welsh regions breaking away to compete in an Anglo-Welsh tournament, Thomas added; “That needs a lot more discussion and it is better for the representations of Regional Rugby Wales to make."

On trying to keep Wales captain Sam Warburton at the Blues at the end of next season after the flanker had given a deadline of today to come up with a reasonable deal, Thomas added: “Hopefully Sam will be in Cardiff and Wales and we are still pursuing that.

“We are trying to find the solutions that is best for the players and the business.

“The same amount of money is on the table. It is how we spend that money in the proper way."

But as the meeting ended, there were reports that star full-back Leigh Halfpenny had decided to quit Wales in favour of a move to France, with Clermont and Toulon said to be leading the chase.

What the fekk was Josh Lewsey doing there???!

When you have a mountain to successfully climb he's the least qualified serial job applicant you'd want on your team.

Casartelli wrote:What the fekk was Josh Lewsey doing there???!

When you have a mountain to successfully climb he's the least qualified serial job applicant you'd want on your team.

Isn't he head of rugby for the WRU?

HammerofThunor wrote:

Casartelli wrote:What the fekk was Josh Lewsey doing there???!

When you have a mountain to successfully climb he's the least qualified serial job applicant you'd want on your team.

Isn't he head of rugby for the WRU?

Everyone assumed that was just Gatland and Howley giving an old mate a helping hand with a made-up job title - not a real, actual role.

Don't get me wrong, Lewsey was a fine rugby player but he has failed at everything he's attempted since hanging up his boots. If this is the calibre of individual that is now involved in the decision making process then the sooner this Welsh house of cards shambles burns to the ground the better, so we can start afresh.

It may suit the WRU with many Welsh players playing outside Wales as they have a better chance of fielding a side for the 6N. The way things are going the four clubs will withhold players from international duty if the WRU withholds funding, this may be why the WRU are trying to central contract the likes of Warburton, 1/2penny, AWJ etc for those that have not jumped ship. Not sure who they will play for? Great business for Derwyn Jones the agent for many of the players leaving Wales.

Does WRU want what is worst for Welsh rugby?
Do the regions want what is worst for Welsh rugby?

Do the WRU want to ruin Welsh rugby?
Do the Regions want to ruin Welsh rugby?

Does WRU want to make a profit?
Do the Regions want to make a profit?

Does the WRU want to be viable?
Do the Regions want to be viable?

Do WRU want their best players staying in Wales?
Do Regions want best players staying in Wales?

I genuinely think the answer to all those questions - on both sides - is No, No, Yes, Yes, Yes.

Why the bloody intransigence from both sides, and why the feeling on both sides that the other side wants to somehow ruin the other?  One side ruining the other is not conducive to good rugby or successful rugby or to keeping a rugby going public happy.  If all sides realise and admit they all want rugby to succeed - as failure helps nobody - then they might all trust each other about what is envisaged by new conditions attached to the relationship between Regions and WRU