EDF Anglo Welsh Cup 2007/8

[rugby then work]

The draw for the Anglo Welsh Cup 2007/8

Pool A: Dragons, Wasps, Gloucester, Newcastle
Pool B: Blues, Bath, Sale, Leicester
Pool C: Ospreys, Harlequins, Worcester, London Irish
Pool D: Scarlets, Leeds, Saracens, Bristol

The regionalised format has been binned, (see here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6243566.stm)) with each team only playing each other once (not home and away).

I'm not sure whether this competition is really worth the extra games it adds to the already congested season, last season saw a lot of sides using second string players especially in the pool stages.

Fixtures here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6243332.stm).

[wolfy]

The draw for the Anglo Welsh Cup 2007/8

Pool A: Dragons, Wasps, Gloucester, Newcastle
Pool B: Blues, Bath, Sale, Leicester
Pool C: Ospreys, Harlequins, Worcester, London Irish
Pool D: Scarlets, Leeds, Saracens, Bristol

The regionalised format has been binned, (see here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6243566.stm)) with each team only playing each other once (not home and away).

I'm not sure whether this competition is really worth the extra games it adds to the already congested season, last season saw a lot of sides using second string players especially in the pool stages.

Fixtures here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6243332.stm).


I think the reason was to give the 4 welsh super clubs more exposure to regular quality fixtures, I expect the changes are for the forth coming world cup. As to how long this competition will go on for I don't know. Maybe they should create a combined premier league although I couldn't see the RFU going for it.

[rugby then work]

I think the reason was to give the 4 welsh super clubs more exposure to regular quality fixtures, I expect the changes are for the forth coming world cup. As to how long this competition will go on for I don't know. Maybe they should create a combined premier league although I couldn't see the RFU going for it.

The combined premier league has been looked at before (about 5 years ago I think) but was kicked into touch when the English clubs realised that it would mean less English clubs in the top flight so that the Welsh sides could be accomodated.

[wolfy]

The combined premier league has been looked at before (about 5 years ago I think) but was kicked into touch when the English clubs realised that it would mean less English clubs in the top flight so that the Welsh sides could be accomodated.

I think it may raise its head again with some of the welsh clubs struggling with cash flow, I can't see the WRFU allowing the same thing to happen to thier clubs as it did to the Scottish clubs.

[rugby then work]

I think it may raise its head again with some of the welsh clubs struggling with cash flow, I can't see the WRFU allowing the same thing to happen to thier clubs as it did to the Scottish clubs.

I can see the attraction for the Welsh clubs but not the English clubs, there's a lot of money in top flight English rugby at the moment. The recent high profile signings from the southern hemisphere goes to show just how much as even the NZRFU couldn't match the money on offer to it's players. If even just 4 Welsh regional sides were admitted to the Premiership it would mean that at least 2 if not 4 English clubs would slip down into the second tier.

I'd also question whether all 4 of these sides would be able to maintain their place in the Premership, LLanelli, Cardiff and the Ospreys would but I think Newport Gwent would struggle.

The Irish and Jocks might be a bit p1ssed off at them pulling out of the Magners League as well.

[auchtermuchty]

Frankly, having been involved within the WRU setup a few years back, it comes as no surprise that Welsh club rugby has died on its @rse! Apparently the WRU were the only ones that couldn't see superclubs as a bad thing. The whole ethos of Welsh rugby was about family and community, how could a club divorced from these principles survive? Ospreys are the only ones that seem to have managed it, with the rest relying on their ties to clubs of old. Ask the celtic warriors how succesful it was to change their name from Pontypridd and Bridgend!! Bloody Disgrace. Before anyone goes accusing me of being partizan, I would remind all parties that I was born in England and grew up in Scotland, so I have no axe to grind here. My issue is that a national body (WRU) bulldozed through changes to the detriment of one of the historic heartlands of the game I love. Thereby reducing the ability of the game to expand and grow, right at the same time that the FAW got their act together. It was no surprise clubs were folding up and down the country, kids were turning to football, leaving the oval ball almost consigned to history. The kids that should be dreaming of being the next Barry John, now dream of being the next Ryan Giggs. Travesty of monumental proportions. In an international context this has been offset by the rise of Italy and Argentina, which from a neutrals point of view doesnt really make a difference other than the better opposition now wears a different coloured shirt. For those of us that look at the history and evolution of the game though, Its a cracking Welsh o.g.