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Cardiff Blues statement: 'This is now a fight for survival'

By Online Editors
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Fresh on the heels of the Scottish government agreeing to bail out Scottish Rugby to the tune of £20 million pounds, the CEO of Welsh PRO14 side Cardiff Blues has once again pleaded with the Welsh government to step in.

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Scotland were facing a multi-million-pound loss in 2020, estimated to be in the region of at least £18 million pounds. The badly needed bailout is split into a £15m grant to the sport and £5m of low-interest loans.

Welsh regional bosses clearly want the same, with Cardiff Blues CEO Richard Holland issuing a statement as professional sport in Wales continues to go without any government support, “unlike their counterparts in England, Ireland and Scotland”.

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“We today reiterate our calls for the Welsh Government to provide clear guidance and financial support to professional rugby in Wales,” said Holland.

“This is now a fight for survival.

“Following today’s announcement that the Scottish Government have provided financial aid to sport in Scotland, including £20 million to rugby, Wales is now the only part of the United Kingdom not to benefit from similar support.

“As it stands, rugby in England will also receive £135 million, including £59 million to the Premiership clubs, and the Irish Rugby Union have already received £16 million.

“This equates to £4-5million of Government support to each professional club in Britain and Ireland, with the exception of Wales who have received nothing.

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“It is absolutely essential that professional rugby receives similar levels of support from our Government.

“Without this support the future for our entire national game, which contributes so much to the economy and general society, is bleak. Richard Holland, Cardiff Blues CEO.”

The Welsh regions, long considered the poorest professional rugby outfits of any Northern Hemisphere Tier 1 nation, have endured years of financial difficulties prior to the pandemic. The lockdown has made a bad situation worse for the Welsh, who, with the exception of the Dragons, are largely privately owned and run enterprises, unlike the unions owned sides in Scotland and Ireland.

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Mzilikazi 20 minutes ago
How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change

Thanks, Nick, not only for this fine article, but for all the others during 6N 2024. I really enjoyed this 2024 tournament, and felt it was one of the best for many years. That final match in Lyons was really good. England were certainly unlucky when that speculative hack by Ramos lead to a French try. It could just so easily have landed in English hand.s, and they score at the other end. I did think though that the French played some great rugby, and some of their driving play in the forwards was just fearsome. I watched Meafou with interest, and he has a good start to his career. It is interesting to compare him with Will Skelton. Lot of similarities, though so far Meafou has not shown any offloading threat. All credit to Borthwick for being prepared to change, and what great result, even if that last game was lost at the death. I feel they are a real chance to cause the AB’s problems this winter/summer. Finally a comment on Ireland. I thought their last game was their worst, and they did not look like the world’s No 2 side at all. What really worries me is that the loss to England was, in my view, down to poor decision making by the coaching group, and ofc Andy Farrell wears that. It was a big mistake to move JGP away from scrum half. Murray should have been the one to go to the wing. And the “finishers” should have been on the field earlier. And this is the second time this has happened. The RWC Qf against the AB’s, and not getting Crowley onto the field was a huge mistake. Finally, finally, watching Italy play was a joy. How wonderful that they are no longer the punchbag of the 6 N.

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