It’s been a difficult time for us all – Dai
CARDIFF boss Dai Young admits it’s a difficult time for everybody involved in professional rugby in Wales amid the possible axing of one of the four regions.
That’s one of the proposals in the Oakwell report which has looked into the financial health of the game in Wales, with the findings now being considered by the powers-that-be.
Young says everyone agrees there needs to be change, but just what that change will be and how to get there is the big question, with people understandably not wanting anything that will impact upon them negatively.
“It is a difficult time for anybody in any walk of life when their livelihood becomes threatened, whether you are a rugby player or a policeman or anything,” said the former Wales and Lions prop.
“Part and parcel of professional sport is that uncertainty. You can only live from contract to contract half the time, so you do get a little bit used to the uncertainty of a professional career. Even if it doesn’t affect you, it is always going to affect you. At the minute, we don’t seem to be a part of the discussion, but we all feel for each other.
“The difficulty is everyone has said something needs to change. We have all said that. We all feel there is need for change. What that looks like, who knows? That’s certainly not my decision. That’s for other people to look at really.
“We all fight change if it means an adverse effect personally, individually or collectively around yourself. It’s always going to be tough, but the reality is we can’t get away from something has to change. What that looks like is over to other people really.
“I am not part of any discussions and I’ve got no influence on anything that moves forward. I don’t know any more than I am reading in the media. It is a difficult time, but I don’t think anybody feels things don’t need to change.
“I am not advocating cutting regions or whatever. That’s not my decision, but we all want to be more competitive and we all want to be thriving. How we get there, I’m not quite sure really.”
Vastly-experienced Cardiff scrum-half Lloyd Williams provided the players’ perspective on the situation, saying: “We do talk about it and it’s tough because it’s people’s jobs.
“We have been there before and heard a lot of things, but until things are over the line, a lot of it is speculation. I am sure the right people are looking into it and let’s hope it’s done in everyone’s best interests. We’ve got games to focus on, so we leave that kind of talk for the people above.”
For Cardiff, it’s the Dragons who provide the opposition at Rodney Parade tomorrow evening (7.35pm) in an United Rugby Championship derby.