No, we know that... is right for our game
All countries are talking about what sits below pro rugby. So we felt we had to look at it as well.
It’s not about following, we have been talking about this for a while now.
If we are going to change, we need to gather everyone’s thoughts and make sure we do the right process.
Is everyone going to be happy? The answer is no. We know that.
But we need to find out what is right, for club rugby, for regional rugby, for our young players coming through, for coaches, referees, administrators, supporters, everything. Q: Is one of the big issues here trying to close the gap between regional rugby and the level below? GJ: It’s the whole thing. At the moment our young players play Premiership, B&I and Anglo-Welsh. You’ve also got the sevens programme which can have a major play in how we develop players.
Also, some of our clubs have got huge history and tradition, which is important. Some clubs are having 1,500 to 2,000 people coming to watch them.
History and tradition is what we have built our whole game on. You can’t take that away.
The question is how do you balance that into what goes forward?
There’s a lot of things to take into consideration. But we also want to make sure there is a pathway and a programme there for players to aspire to if they want to better themselves.
We have got 18-year-olds who could be playing for Wales in 2023. Are they getting enough game time?
We have looked at the intensity of games. We have had GPS put on all of our Premiership players over the last 10 weeks, so we can look at how it all compares.
A lot of our U20s are playing rugby at Premiership level. But the stats show us that some of our 20 to 23-year-olds aren’t playing much rugby.
The important thing is liaising, discussing, having people’s views and thoughts and being thorough and open in the proves. Then hopefully we will have an answer that supports everybody. Q: So, this is the consultation phase. When do we get to the results phase? GJ: We have a steering group put together from the Union that will look at the proposals which will come forward.
That’s made up of Premiership people, regional people, WRU executive and board and independent people.
That group meets for the first time this week, when we will look at the initial findings of the consultation period, and there will be more meetings after that. Before we can do anything, it has to be passed at board level. Q: So, could there be changes as early as next season?
Clubs will want to know before the end of this season what is happening, whether it’s for next season or the season after,
It’s important we give them as much notice as we possibly can of changes. The regions need to know as well and we have partners in other countries as well, with the Anglo-Welsh and the B&I.
Our information is the RFU probably won’t support the B&I moving forward, but obviously you have got the Irish provinces that are involved in that as well. What we have said is we are thoroughly going through this process and it could have an impact on other tournaments.
We have got to think of ourselves a little bit and what is right for Welsh rugby moving forward, rather than just saying let’s do that because it supports other countries. Let’s do what is right for us moving forward. Q: We have had three different tournaments operating below the regional game. Is your feeling that we need one level? GJ: I think we have got to look at what is right for the player.
I think in the past we have gone down the route of thinking what competitions we need rather than what is right for the player and coaches. The players for me are the most important product out there.
It’s difficult for them sometimes. If you look at it now, we have had four autumn Test matches, then you have got two games of Europe and then two derbies.
That’s bloody tough going for our players, that’s hard work. The game is changing dramatically in intensity of high speed running and collisions.
We need to look at what the players need in terms of skills-based programmes and high-intensity games. When should we play them? Should we be playing the same time as international programmes? Should there be breaks in the season for the players?
Scotland don’t have the Anglo-Welsh. They rest and recover and get ready to perform in that period. They have opportunities to develop themselves. We play every single Saturday of the year, is that right?.
The young players need good coaching, good environments, good high-intensity games,
We have got to have the right programme for them.
We tend to put the competitions first. I would go the other way round and flip the model. Let’s put the players first. Q: Do you think the 60-cap rule will see English colleges and club academies becoming less keen to pick our young players off, given they may well look to come back to Wales at some point? GJ: It’s an interesting topic of discussion.
I understand why the youngsters go across. If they are offered a scholarship at a private school with a lot of teaching and coaching, it’s quite hard to say no to that.
And they may possibly have a thought of becoming English-qualified.
But they have to realise the consequences in terms of the five-year residency rule which is coming in.
If they then go to university, they will be 26 or 27 by the time they are qualified because student years don’t count.
There’s a lot for them to consider.