Kiss goodbye to a region

[Sandydragon]

Just read in the Times that an independent report has recommended that the current regions are reduced to 3. Either:

Ospreys and Scarlets merge, or
Dragons cease to exist completely.

It would appear the investing money instead of building a bloody hotel isn’t part of the solution.

I suspect it will be the dragons who bite the bullet, which means that anyone in Gwent will be disenfranchised. But whilst I would agree that would be the fairest solution based on results, I don’t think reducing our pro playing base is in any way sensible.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Why stop at one hotel? Scrap all the regions and build four.

I'll bill the WRU for this consultancy work.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Just read in the Times that an independent report has recommended that the current regions are reduced to 3. Either:

Ospreys and Scarlets merge, or
Dragons cease to exist completely.

It would appear the investing money instead of building a bloody hotel isn’t part of the solution.

I suspect it will be the dragons who bite the bullet, which means that anyone in Gwent will be disenfranchised. But whilst I would agree that would be the fairest solution based on results, I don’t think reducing our pro playing base is in any way sensible.

I'm not seeing how reducing the regions by 25% is going to help development.

We need to keep four, even if we make one officially a development team. It worked pretty well for Ireland.

Merging the Scarlets and Ospreys - the most successful two teams - is obviously mad. (Why is Cardiff not in the firing line for a merger....?)

[Numbers]

Just read in the Times that an independent report has recommended that the current regions are reduced to 3. Either:

Ospreys and Scarlets merge, or
Dragons cease to exist completely.

It would appear the investing money instead of building a bloody hotel isn’t part of the solution.

I suspect it will be the dragons who bite the bullet, which means that anyone in Gwent will be disenfranchised. But whilst I would agree that would be the fairest solution based on results, I don’t think reducing our pro playing base is in any way sensible.

This would be bad, the Dragond have the largest number of feeder clubs so they're really needed to represent that area, as a Scarlets fan I can't think a merger between them and the Ospreys is a good idea or one which will garner any supporters, Cardiff will remain as they are in the Capital and therefore seemingly untouchable, whichever way this goes it will be bad.

[Sandydragon]

Just read in the Times that an independent report has recommended that the current regions are reduced to 3. Either:

Ospreys and Scarlets merge, or
Dragons cease to exist completely.

It would appear the investing money instead of building a bloody hotel isn’t part of the solution.

I suspect it will be the dragons who bite the bullet, which means that anyone in Gwent will be disenfranchised. But whilst I would agree that would be the fairest solution based on results, I don’t think reducing our pro playing base is in any way sensible.

I'm not seeing how reducing the regions by 25% is going to help development.

We need to keep four, even if we make one officially a development team. It worked pretty well for Ireland.

Merging the Scarlets and Ospreys - the most successful two teams - is obviously mad. (Why is Cardiff not in the firing line for a merger....?)

Indeed. Im assuming that the capital city must be represented but they aren't exactly pulling up trees at the moment. Just can't see how this will help the national side when there are fewer players to pick from (assuming no change to the 60 cap rule). And of course one less academy who fewer players the conveyor belt as well.

[Sandydragon]

And of course, just when the regions are trying to build for next season, no player is going to be assured that a contract with one of them is a good idea whilst this is on the table (except for Cardiff of course).

[Son of Mathonwy]

And of course, just when the regions are trying to build for next season, no player is going to be assured that a contract with one of them is a good idea whilst this is on the table (except for Cardiff of course).

It's almost like Welsh rugby is being organised by village idiots.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Okay, I appreciate that these are rumours and not a WRU statement, but what exactly is the problem to be solved here? A reduction from 4 to 3 is to save money, but:

1) is it because the current financial situation is unsustainable?
or
2) the WRU need these savings in order to enact some 'plan' (like increasing funding of the remaining 3)?
and
3) whichever it is, why is investment in a hotel considered a better use for the current funds?

[newgalesurf]

Well nobody is telling the Dragons they would be the region to go. Huge amount of quality signings coming in. You would have thought especially as the WRU 'own' the region, they would have said something if that was the case

But I would imagine any reduction would not happen that quickly unless the situation was really dire

[Sandydragon]

Well nobody is telling the Dragons they would be the region to go. Huge amount of quality signings coming in. You would have thought especially as the WRU 'own' the region, they would have said something if that was the case

But I would imagine any reduction would not happen that quickly unless the situation was really dire

Very pleased to get Rob Evans, he's a tidy player. Either we are going shit or bust for a successful season before any cut or we know that the Dragons are safe (and hopefully the other 3 are too).

[newgalesurf]

Well nobody is telling the Dragons they would be the region to go. Huge amount of quality signings coming in. You would have thought especially as the WRU 'own' the region, they would have said something if that was the case

But I would imagine any reduction would not happen that quickly unless the situation was really dire

Very pleased to get Rob Evans, he's a tidy player. Either we are going shit or bust for a successful season before any cut or we know that the Dragons are safe (and hopefully the other 3 are too).

Yeah Rob Evans is a great signing. Getting Angus back too, looked really good when they played us last.Evans and Rhodri Jones will both be looking to impress the selectors (along with Bradley Roberts). Other signings not too shabby either (Sio, Max Clark, Nott, Lonsdale, Hanrahan)

I can feel the warm glow of optimism starting already. At least I can bask in this for a few months. Normally comes crashing down when the first ball of a new season is kicked. Joys of being a Dragons fan

[Son of Mathonwy]

Well nobody is telling the Dragons they would be the region to go. Huge amount of quality signings coming in. You would have thought especially as the WRU 'own' the region, they would have said something if that was the case

But I would imagine any reduction would not happen that quickly unless the situation was really dire

Very pleased to get Rob Evans, he's a tidy player. Either we are going shit or bust for a successful season before any cut or we know that the Dragons are safe (and hopefully the other 3 are too).

Yeah Rob Evans is a great signing. Getting Angus back too, looked really good when they played us last.Evans and Rhodri Jones will both be looking to impress the selectors (along with Bradley Roberts). Other signings not too shabby either (Sio, Max Clark, Nott, Lonsdale, Hanrahan)

I can feel the warm glow of optimism starting already. At least I can bask in this for a few months. Normally comes crashing down when the first ball of a new season is kicked. Joys of being a Dragons fan

Rob Evans is a great signing if he stays fit. Angus too, hugely underrated.