Shane’s solution to improve Premiership
SHANE Williams has suggested a possible solution to the “unholy mess” that is the restructuring of the Welsh Premiership.
Last week it was announced that the Welsh Premiership is set to be increased from 12 to 14 clubs from the 2023-24 season, with a proposed reduction to 10 teams being rejected.
That latter plan was put forward by the WRU executive, including performance director Nigel Walker, but the final decision rested with the WRU Community Game Board, who decided to stick with the expansion plan which was agreed last year.
Writing in his column in The Rugby Paper, Williams said: “The Community Game Board, which has the WRU Board chairman as its chair, is stuck in the dark ages. Their recent decision-making has taken us back to the bad old days of back of fag packet resolutions and medieval thinking.
“Our aspiring young internationals deserve better than this. They need a system that supports their aspirations and gives them the chance to develop to become the best version of themselves.
“There are lots of examples of future internationals cutting their teeth in the Premiership, but a better competition would be even better for their development. The Community Board Game hasn’t closed the door on reducing the numbers in the future, but they have classically kicked the can down the road to the detriment of the game they are supposed to best serve.
“The decision during Martyn Phillips’s era as chief executive to push the Premiership into the community game was the first abrogation of the Union’s duty and perhaps the best way forward out of this unholy mess is for Nigel and (community director Geraint) John to create a new competition in the professional section of the game and find the money to support the 10 best clubs in a new format.
“At the moment, the Premiership is suffering death by a thousand cuts and isn’t being give the chance to thrive. It is a question of rule by the lowest common denominator, rather than higher standards and ambitions being able to properly challenge its clubs, coaches and players.
“The Premiership has the chance to be the tournament that is most needed in the game in Welsh rugby, the proper gateway for young players who want to become the next Alun Wyn Jones, Louis Rees-Zammit or Dan Biggar. It is part-serving that service at present but simply can’t do things properly with 14 or even 12 teams.”