WRU needs restructure
THE Welsh Rugby Union is clearly no longer fit for purpose and requires a radical restructuring and indeed a radical change of leadership.
Throughout my lifetime the WRU has often come in for criticism – yet at times, particularly during the mid-’60s and much of the ’70s, it has been creative and innovative.
However, Welsh rugby now seems directionless and headed for the rocks as the Union prioritises “finance over rugby”, as a former long-term member of the general committee succinctly put it.
Having been involved in grassroots rugby for many years, I’ve become well aware of the struggles of the game in recent times, struggles which did not start with Covid.
The regions should underpin the national team but any reduction in number would certainly impact the player base.
Theoretically, we should now have four competitive, quality teams. But what is the point of keeping our best players if they rarely represent their regions?
The Osprey/scarlets game was a fine example of what regional rugby could be, with most leading players available and played at a reasonable kick-off time. It was intense, skilful and exciting, with a decent crowd and a great atmosphere.
Supporters want to see the best players playing for their clubs. It doesn’t take an Einstein or a Carwyn James to work that one out.
Emotion and finance rarely mix but emotion is very much part of the Celtic DNA and of Welsh rugby, in particular.
The players at all levels and the fans should be the priority of the Union.
Money should not be the sole governing factor in plotting the way forward. An accountant may well devise a plan that balances the WRU books but by the time this reaches fruition there may well no longer be a game left to govern.
What the Union should be doing is finding ways of financing the game from grassroots to regions rather than indulging in the idiotic cornershop economics of Margaret Thatcher.
In the short term an obvious course of action for the top brass of the WRU presents itself: resign! I Seaton Mumbles