Ravens set to go west
RUGBY
BRIDGEND Ravens RFC are set to go west during the early stages of next season’s revamped Principality Welsh Premiership, writes Tony Poole.
The move has been driven by the 16 member clubs, who have put forward a proposal for the league to initially split in two geographical groups ahead of a midwinter merger.
But the WRU board will have the final decision, and it’s expected shortly so that fixture lists can be distributed.
At the start of the season, Bridgend would go west along with Aberavon, Carmarthen Quins, Llandovery, Llanelli, Neath, RGC 1404 and Swansea, playing home and away fixtures.
The feeling was there would be less in the way of travel and more of what fans really love – and that’s derby clashes.
But the downside for Bridgend is that it would only involve one match per season with old pals Cardiff.
Around the turn of the year with all teams having completed 14 games, they would then combine with the east division.
But unlike last season when there was a muchcriticised halfway split and the reset button was hit, points won in the regional section would fast forward into the second stage.
The 16 clubs would then play each other just once making it a league based around 29 games.
And the table-topping side would be declared champions with play-offs binned much to the chagrin of a television company.
The Foster’s Cup – introduced to give more games and with it revenue – would be axed, but the WRU Cup would remain.
But some social media fans have pointed out the best way would be to base the season around a straight league from the outset.
It would provide 30 league matches with 15 at home, but it would seem the WRU remain advocates of a mid-season split.
When the new system was introduced last season it was against a back- ground of the Premiership being ring fenced until 2019.
This date dovetails with an agreement between the WRU and the four Welsh Regions also expiring – and in two years time big changes are envisaged at both regional and club levels.
Merthyr topped the Premiership table last season and won a play-off at Aberavon, but this system is set to be binned.