KEV KICKS OFF

IT’S great to see that the Pro12 league has made the decision to scrap games on a Sunday and put them on at 7.35pm on a Saturday night instead which I think will be more suitable for everyone involved. The Ospreys and the Dragons start the season on Friday night, September 2, and the Scarlets and Blues will follow on the Saturday.

I see Alfie is not happy with the schedule our international players have been through, playing 18 Tests in the last season, I do agree with him that it is a lot of rugby and the boys must be physically and mentally tired.

They do get paid a lot of money and they are doing something they love but we are not like the All Blacks or England. They’ve got massive strength in depth. We are a very good team now and can beat anybody on the day. Let’s hope our players are enjoying time with their families.

It was great to have a shandy with husband-tobe and old Warrington team-mate Jiffy Davies on his stag night last Friday in Cardiff. Allan Bateman and John Devs joined me on the stag do along with a string of ex-internationals.

It was good to see a massive turnout for the funeral of Lino Laforges (Ronnie the Raven) last Wednesday. The crematorium was packed with family and friends. RIP Lino.

I see new Cardiff City manager Paul Trollope is set to leave his post as Chris Coleman’s number two to concentrate on his day to day job at Cardiff. It’s a big decision after the success of the Welsh team recently and managers get sacked quite quickly these days. Question: What do you think of fans criticising the appointments of Howley and McBryde on longterm contracts? People will have their own opinion but at the end of the day, it’s Warren Gatland’s call who he wants on his staff. It wasn’t long ago we won Grand Slams and they were the best coaches in the world then! I do agree with Alfie’s comments though. We need to change the way we play and not be afraid to attack more like the All Blacks. I think we will see a fresh Wales team for the autumn internationals.