WRU Announcement

[Numbers]

I assume this is going to be about the WRU owning all four regions?

[hawkaye]

Operational control both on and off the field goes to WRU from July via a WRU subsidiary company. Very interesting. Can Dave Walk become money making with well judged development - quite a large site. This might work well. Something had to be done.

[Numbers]

Operational control both on and off the field goes to WRU from July via a WRU subsidiary company. Very interesting. Can Dave Walk become money making with well judged development - quite a large site. This might work well. Something had to be done.

Agreed, they could start by sorting out that pitch, it's not conducive to an attractive rugby product and the Dragons have always played a decent wide game so it could help with their results.

[hawkaye]

I do hope so; its a shocker. If the plans are imaginative and commercial it could give a huge lift to NGDs and take them beyond anything available at other regions - although the redevelopment of CAP could be spectacular too.
RP has seen some great matches and great players. I wonder who stands out most -Bryn Meredith, Brian Price, Dai Watkins?

[Sandydragon]

Hopefully the shareholders see sense and back this. I don't see any viable alternative.

[ALunpg]

I am OK with this outcome for the Dragons... it is not the most optimal output for the region to lose its independence if the circumstances and investment permitted but maybe in those circumstances it is probably the most pragmatic for the future.

It will be now up to the WRU and the other regions to ensure that the balance of fairness is maintained going forwards.

[hawkaye]

In an ideal world all regions would prosper with great facilities and income enough to sustain them and quality squads and academies. But there has now been time enough to see this is not the case and to accept that the national teams and facilities generate the big money. Provided it is well directed towards (in the first instance NGDs) commercially sound investment (probably mixed developments) generating income from both rugby and non rugby activities (maybe property/retail/entertainment) then the WRU would also gain financially. This would allow greater support for other regions ( and for funding similar development but with greater 'jointness') and for player retention in Wales. Rose tints I know but maybe it will work out to everyone's benefit.
At the risk of stepping on a rake I think that the WRU has managed its financial affairs rather well.

[Sandydragon]

I try to be pragmatic in these things. Per haps this will be the way forward for other regions, recognising that the money in this sport is mostly at international level (excepting the English and French domestic leagues). On the other hand, maybe in a few years time someone will show interest in buying the Dragons off the WRU. Who knows what the future holds? The most important thing is to keep the region afloat and in the absence of other alternatives, this makes sense.

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is not ideal, but way better than the club disappearing. Not sure how the others will take this. is this covered by the service agreement I wonder? Will the WRU have to contribute equal amounts (eg the interest on the amount invested in the Dragons) to the other 3 regions in order to be fair?

[hawkaye]

The NGDs will be a subsidiary of the WRU. If this works out then the arrangement will not just be cost free, even profitable for the WRU. We will see.
If profitable then the surpluses will add to overall WRU operational profit supporting the game in Wales. If not profitable the losses can be set against the level of support the WRU previously gave the region with no repercussions on other regions. It would be a great pity if other regions got into a me too attitude now; the model may be seen in time to work well enough for other regions to want to go in the same direction. The NGDs is a great opportunity to test a model which is rather promising. It should not be messed up by other regions getting in the way.

[Tre]

If they can't afford to sack Howley, McBride and co they can put them in charge at Dragons.

Newport want a guaranteed period of tenancy, and the WRU are refusing. Newport RFC shareholders are not going to vote this through.

[Sandydragon]

If they can't afford to sack Howley, McBride and co they can put them in charge at Dragons.

Newport want a guaranteed period of tenancy, and the WRU are refusing. Newport RFC shareholders are not going to vote this through.

I understand why the shareholders are worried about the WRU taking over then selling the land 2 years later. But I dont think anyone can guarantee anything for 10 years. Hopefully there isa way around this or else the Turkeys have voted for Christmas.

[Son of Mathonwy]

If they can't afford to sack Howley, McBride and co they can put them in charge at Dragons.

Newport want a guaranteed period of tenancy, and the WRU are refusing. Newport RFC shareholders are not going to vote this through.

I understand why the shareholders are worried about the WRU taking over then selling the land 2 years later. But I dont think anyone can guarantee anything for 10 years. Hopefully there is a way around this or else the Turkeys have voted for Christmas.

After Brexit anything's possible.

[Sandydragon]

If they can't afford to sack Howley, McBride and co they can put them in charge at Dragons.

Newport want a guaranteed period of tenancy, and the WRU are refusing. Newport RFC shareholders are not going to vote this through.

I understand why the shareholders are worried about the WRU taking over then selling the land 2 years later. But I dont think anyone can guarantee anything for 10 years. Hopefully there is a way around this or else the Turkeys have voted for Christmas.

After Brexit anything's possible.

It does concern me that that some of the shareholders would be that shortsighted. Anything could happen here.

[Numbers]

Well the good news is that the WRU are going to put a 4G pitch in place if it goes through.

[Numbers]

Hazell's viewpoint: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39378305

[hawkaye]

Well that's pretty clear. No deal , no rugby at RP. Interesting that Hazell says regional rugby has not worked in Wales. If the European record is the benchmark I guess he's right.