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#Post#: 141439--------------------------------------------------
O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: August 20, 2025, 8:31 am
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So, today is the day that the WRU are going to publish their
plans on how to "fix" Welsh rugby. All the briefing so far is
that it'll be a reduction to two teams, possibly not based on
amalgamation of the existing regions. This after the Scarlets
have announced a medium to long term plan involving investors
from the US and the Ospreys outlined plans for the season after
next, all announced in the last couple of weeks. I can't see
this ending well for either Welsh rugby or their fans.
#Post#: 141440--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: August 20, 2025, 8:36 am
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WRU to propose halving Welsh professional teams to two - BBC
Sport
HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c2enjxpmgm8o
#Post#: 141442--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: 22 Dropout
Date: August 20, 2025, 8:48 am
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--- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
>
> I can't see this ending well for either Welsh rugby or their
fans.
>
--- End Quote ---
Surely the whole point is the opposite? Of course, I am being
facetious, and it is a shame, but there is no point in holding
onto the past. I actually fear that there is too much
business-think going on - too much focus on numbers and
projections - and not enough on how to re-engage with a public
that could fall back in love with rugby (like the Australians)
if encouraged to do so. Surely you try to re-invigorate your
sport before diminishing it forever.
#Post#: 141443--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: August 20, 2025, 11:22 am
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As much as I enjoy beating the Welsh, it is a shame that it has
come to this, the region idea has not worked in Wales but there
was never enough money to keep the club structure and fund it
properly.
Football has displaced rugby and the crowds at the principality
stadium wearing fancy dress do not attend the regional games and
the URC games don’t bring many away fans.
The demise of Welsh rugby was hidden by a golden generation that
Gatland profited from but there was no recognition that there
was a void behind them.
If they go to two regions and keep two of the existing regions
in existence, then perhaps the premiership could accommodate the
other two, this may actually give them some away fans and a
broader player base.
If they go to a two region system and have new east and west
wales regions, then they effectively start with a zero fan base,
would you watch saraquins or harlecens.
I hope there is some way of maintaining a meaningful Welsh
domestic rugby setup and a strong national team, but Welsh rugby
got going professional horribly wrong, and what worked in
Ireland and Scotland did not function in Wales.
#Post#: 141446--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: August 20, 2025, 11:34 am
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--- Quote from: Rugbycat link ---
>
> ...
>
> If they go to two regions and keep two of the existing regions
in existence, then perhaps the premiership could accommodate the
other two, this may actually give them some away fans and a
broader player base.
>
> ...
>
--- End Quote ---
If the top 100 Welsh male players are playing for the 2 regions
in the URC then I'd suggest the Champ may be more appropriate
for the other two regions.
#Post#: 141449--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: August 20, 2025, 12:52 pm
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> If the top 100 Welsh male players are playing for the 2
regions in the URC then I'd suggest the Champ may be more
appropriate for the other two regions.
>
--- End Quote ---
If we have relegation then they may soon find their way there,
but I would suggest that the two regions would not only have
Welsh players and be in effect clubs and be self financed.
#Post#: 141461--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: August 21, 2025, 1:40 am
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I'd just like to put on record that I have a long memory and
suffered at the hands of Welsh antagonism back in the day when
they were in their pomp. However, a strong Wales is good for the
sport and I am quite capable of doing the English thing, turning
the other cheek, and wishing them all the very best.
#Post#: 141498--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Rocker
Date: August 21, 2025, 12:17 pm
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--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> I'd just like to put on record that I have a long memory and
suffered at the hands of Welsh antagonism back in the day when
they were in their pomp. However, a strong Wales is good for the
sport and I am quite capable of doing the English thing, turning
the other cheek, and wishing them all the very best.
>
--- End Quote ---
Agreed 👍
#Post#: 141500--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: connaughtquin
Date: August 21, 2025, 12:53 pm
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The WRU could do worse than resurrect their former leagues, get
the fans back in the grounds to start to follow their old clubs,
Pontypool, Bridgend, Pontypridd, Neath et al and fall in love
again with traditional local rivalries. The existing regions
don't work and they don't feel like they are the same as local
clubs to the majority of supporters.
#Post#: 141507--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T A different sort of Judgement Day in Wales
DIR By: Rocker
Date: August 21, 2025, 3:19 pm
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This is correct. Have the "traditional" in a Welsh competition,
feeding the 2 regions. Unbalances the United fighting rugby
thingy though surely?
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