WRU TREAT US WITH DISDAIN, CLAIM CLUBS

THE Welsh Rugby Union has been accused of treating Welsh Premiership clubs with ‘disdain’ as anger over the future of the division intensifies.

The governing body’s plan to reduce funding from £100,000 to £50,000 per season within two years has left many of this season’s 16 teams – they will be cut to 12 next winter – fearing for a meaningful future after more than a century of service to the game.

But WRU bosses believe the introduction of new regional Under-23 or A teams is a better way of preparing players or coaches for the professional game.

And now Ebbw Vale chairman Jonathan Jones has gone in hard on the union, claiming their plans have not been properly debated and thought through.

“Our biggest concern at the moment is there are too many mixed messages flying about concerning the structure of the new season,” said Jones.

“We have been quite clearly told by Martyn Phillips and Geraint John at the WRU there is no way back from our reduction in numbers from 16 to 12 next season, nor the drastic cut in funding.

“They have told us to stop paying our players, which in the modern age of rugby is an unrealistic prospect.

“Money is being paid all the way down through the ranks in Welsh rugby, as is permitted under the auspices of an ‘open’ game.

“The reality is not the model the board voted for and someone needs to have the courage to reassess this.

“We hear the Celtic Cup will merely be a developmental tournament in which results will be completely unimportant. Even so, the players will be getting paid for their efforts.

“If that is the case at that level, then why not at Premiership level when they come back to play for our clubs for the majority of their season?”

The WRU declined to comment on Jones’ comments.

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