Social media reacts as Welsh regions hit European nadir
The gag doing the rounds this weekend was that Cardiff had defied to odds to become the first of the Welsh regions to secure a victory in Europe this season – and over the European champions Toulouse no less!
Obviously, that ‘victory’ is off the back of an EPCR decision on Friday to award Cardiff a 28 – 0 walkover over the French giants. The odds on Cardiff coming away from Stade Ernest-Wallon with a win could at best be described as remote.
It’s been a dire campaign for the regions and impossible to hide from.
To date, no Welsh side has recorded a win on the ground. Leaving the paper win over Toulouse aside, the Ospreys, Cardiff and the Scarlets have totaled just four bonus points between them in the Heineken Champions Cup.
It’s an abysmal total that even if they were treated as one team, would not be enough to qualify them for the 24 team competition’s round of 16.
Meanwhile, the Dragons have managed just one losing bonus point in three outings in the Challenge Cup.
Their collective points difference stands at minus 250. Together all four teams have scored 202 points, just four points more than Leinster’s individual points tally.
Doom and gloom around the Welsh regions is nothing new, but their bleak experience this year has left many in the Welsh rugby family exasperated and calling for change, although there’s no agreement on what such a change might look like.
Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin struck a depressing note: “I’m struggling to see where the next crop of quality Wales internationals are going to come from.”
I’m struggling to see where the next crop of quality Wales internationals are going to come from ????
— Tom Shanklin (@TomShanklin) January 23, 2022
Andy Howell, former rugby correspondent for Walesonline and the Western Mail, posted: “Welsh regions largely have decent squads but seem to continually be undermined by devastating injury lists and keyboard warriors telling them they’re crap.”
Be largely same players making up squads ? Would they be any better? Welsh regions largely have decent squads but seem to continually be undermined by devastating injury lists & keyboard warriors telling them they’re crap https://t.co/mHRTyRhzeN
— Andy Howell (@andyhowellsport) January 23, 2022
Some are still pushing the idea of an Anglo-Welsh league as a potential savior, although there’s little evidence such a ploy would be a success. Politician Samuel Kurtz wrote that on the evidence of the Scarlets Bristol game, which was close for 45 minutes, such a competition would be ‘incredible’: “This Scarlets versus Bristol Bears game is reason enough for the Welsh regions to join the English Premiership. Anglo-Welsh league would be incredible.”
This @scarlets_rugby v @BristolBears game is reason enough for the Welsh regions to join the English Premiership. Anglo-Welsh league would be incredible #ChampionsCup
— Samuel Kurtz MS (@SKurtzCWSP) January 22, 2022
Ex-Argus chief rugby writer Robin Dewey, made the point that there would be little in such a league for the English teams: “Ospreys following their West Wales rivals Scarlets in getting thumped by English opposition, trailing heavily against Sale. And some still say an Anglo-Welsh league is the best way forward for the regions. Why on earth would English teams want that?”
Ospreys following their West Wales rivals Scarlets in getting thumped by English opposition, trailing heavily against Sale. And some still say an Anglo-Welsh league is the best way forward for the regions. Why on earth would English teams want that?
— Robin Davey (@robindavey01) January 23, 2022
Some extremists seem to think the regions need to be got rid of completely, even if there is no viable alternative and a return to a Welsh Premiership style structure would see the playing pool stretched even further.
The welsh regions have been embarrassing in Europe this season, but once Wales win the 6 nations that’s all forgotten about, and that’s the welsh mentality.
Get rid of regions.— Cjt (@christhomas4566) January 23, 2022
Many see the problem coming down to one of money. Welsh regional budgets are certainly significantly off the likes of the French giants and Japan’s corporate sides, although the gap between the regions and their fellow URC sides isn’t the chasm some like to make out.
Squidge Rugby launched a spirited defence of the regions’ player conveyor belt, suggesting talent wasn’t a problem for Welsh rugby, although he pointed out that the scoreline at the end of the Scarlets’ game painted it’s own grim picture, despite the aforementioned competitive display early doors from the Llanelli men.
“I think it says a lot that this is probably the most encouraging performance we’ve seen from the Scarlets under Dwayne Peel and they’ve conceded 52 points.”
I think it says a lot that this is probably the most encouraging performance we’ve seen from the Scarlets under Dwayne Peel and they’ve conceded 52 points.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) January 22, 2022
The problem is clear and well described. The Welsh regions are currently struggling to be competitive. What the solution is, remains far more difficult to pin down.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments