SHANE: LEARN FROM EURO ELITE
SHANE Williams says the four Welsh regions need to improve on and off the pitch if they are to ever compete with Europe’s elite.
After all four exited European competitions after turning in disappointing performances, critics have once again placed a microscope on the state of the regional game in Wales, and what can be done to improve things.
Writing in his latest Rugby Paper column, Amman Valley hero Williams has put forward his own ideas.
He wrote: “When you look at Welsh rugby in simplistic terms, it must seem bizarre to those outside the country that the national team can do so well on a consistent basis and the regions can’t trouble the best teams in England, France and Ireland.
“There are a multitude behind this.
“I could write a year’s worth of columns on how to try to solve the problems and improve Welsh rugby, but I’ll focus on two key issues.
“Welsh rugby will always be beset by politics, but if you analyse the rugby objectively, there is one common theme which emerged last weekend and that is game management.
“The regions must learn to out games better.” of factors close
The Dragons, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues all blew commanding leads in their respective European ties, while Wales themselves let a Six Nations Grand Slam slip through their fingers at the hands of France.
Williams believes both the national side, and the four professional teams, can do with taking note of others, but admits it’s not always a level playing field.
“Wales and Welsh teams can improve from watching the way the likes of Exeter and Leinster play, but of course the big difference between the two below Test level is financial muscle and greater squad depth,” he added.
“That brings me to my off-the-field point. After a tough year due to Covid-19, the regional finances are in a perilous state.
“We all know the WRU are focusing on having all their Wales players playing in Wales.
“That has to be applauded and the 60-cap rule is working, but my feeling is the regions have almost become victims by providing players to Wayne Pivac’s side.
“Clearly, the opposite should be true. It is here where I think Welsh rugby can strike a better balance in how the regions build their squads in terms of the numbers of Welsh and non-welsh qualified players.”
Meanwhile, Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack says there is a way out of the Covid-19 crisis for Welsh regions, but says he remains concerned about the lack of clarity around playing budgets.
Budgets for the 2021-22 season are seemingly still up in the air for the four regions, particularly with a £20 million loan from Natwest looming large.
And Muderack, who watched on as the Scarlets were hammered by Sale in the European Champions Cup, believes the WRU’S decision to use part of the £51m banked from CVC’S investment in the Six Nations on schemes like a new hotel, could be put to better use in terms of safeguarding the future of the professional game.
The WRU has previously claimed that investing in the new hotel next to the Principality Stadium, which will contain a roof walk, will help generate
stronger and more long-term revenues.
However, the Scarlets chief told the Rugby Paper: “I don’t think rugby should get distracted by trying to start up and run other businesses as our business is rugby.
“I don’t think the likes of CVC are expecting the businesses in rugby they invest into to become broader organisations. They are investing in the game of rugby and the core product is rugby.”
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