WRU turns back on senior school rugby

IT is a great shame but it would appear the Welsh Rugby Union has turned its collective back on school rugby at a senior level (“WRU switches youth cup finals from Principality”, WM, March 31).

The takeover of colleges and the setting up of academies has meant that if players wish to play regional rugby at under-18, with the chance of playing for Wales under-18, they would have a much better chance to do so if they play for a college.

This statement would no doubt be refuted if challenged, but if you look at the sides chosen for the various games, unless you are from a Welshspeaking school, it predominantly consists of players from the colleges.

“Cream rises to the top” you could argue, but what happens to the boys who enjoy representing and playing with their schoolfriends? The list of schoolboys who have gone on to represent Wales and British Lions is long and, historically, the ball is thrown around a lot more than college and youth rugby.

This year Llanishen High School, a comprehensive with a diverse intake, has reached the Welsh Senior School final for the fourth year in a row. The team has won the past three finals in close, hard-fought encounters with from West Wales sides.

The finals have always taken place at the Principality Stadium and this has given boys a chance to play on the national pitch for probably the only time in their life.

The reason given for the switch is that the Champions League final will take place on the pitch on June 3. This is a prestigious event for the whole of Cardiff, and to save the pitch from damage makes sense.

Well, it would, except the senior school final is on Monday, April 3, 50 days before the Champions League game. Judgement Day, when the four Welsh Regions play against one another in back-to-back fixtures, takes place on April 16 – surely the players, who are heavier, will do more damage to the playing surface. A question of money talking, perhaps?

The Llanishen team won a difficult semi-final only to find out two days later that the game had been moved to the Cardiff Blues’ pitch, next door. A number of the Llanishen team have improved their skills and fitness to force themselves into the first team, and they were devastated to hear the news.

To compound the disappointment, S4C has always filmed the final and then shown highlights on Rygbi Pawb, but this year are not covering the event at all.

As a Welsh-speaking side, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin has made the final again – you would have thought that this kind of competition highlights the diverse nature of Wales and as such would be the kind of event S4C was set up for. A large number of many past players from previous years are coming back from university to support the team. They also bring friends they have made in university and they are astonished at the pride and passion demonstrated by a “school side”.

This passion and pride is something to cherish and be proud of and it is a great shame that the WRU and S4C don’t seem to agree with that statement.

Good luck to both finalists and let’s look forward to an exciting game and the creation of wonderful sporting memories. Phillip Ivins Cardiff