Pro12 revamp getting shambolic, says Shane
THE revamp of the Guinness PRO12 has become shambolic, with the lack of a fixture list heading into August making it ‘a complete mess.’
That’s the verdict of former world player of the year and Wales’ record try scorer Shane Williams, who says the situation will have left coaches tearing their hair out and supporters losing interest.
PRO12 chiefs have confirmed they are looking to add two South African Super Rugby sides to the competition for the coming season – the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings.
But as yet no further detail has been forthcomng amid speculation that the league will be spolit into two conferences of seven teams.
Writing for the Rugby Paper, Williams said: “It’s a complete mess and it’s a situation the league just doesn’t need right now.
“I’m all for trying something different and bringing in new teams, but the way it’s been done by the organisers has just been shambolic. Who is in charge of all of this?
“As we head into August we still don’t know the fixture list for the new season and that really can’t be doing anyone involved any good at all.”
Williams said players will not be adversely affected by the lack of fixture clarity, but that it will have a detrimental impact on the coaches.
He added: “The coaches simply can’t plan for the new campaign without knowing who they’re going to be playing.
“The fixture list impacts a great deal on how you go about things, especially in the PRO12 where at different stages you’re going to lose players to international duty.”
And Williams reckons supporters will have been turned off by the whole drawn out business.
“Modern day sport is a bit of an ugly beast because the supporters are the ones – along with the TV companies – who bring in the money, but they seem to be considered last of all,” he said.
“If you’re a fan of one of the Welsg regions right now, I’d imagine you’re feeling pretty uninterested in the new season.
“How can you be anything but when you don’t know where and when your team is playing, and against whom for that matter?
“It’s all a bit ridiculous and I imagine it’s having an impact on season ticket sales at all of the regions.”