Dragons to be culled from the league

[WJ99mobile]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/welsh-region-cut-bombshell-development-31662173

Whether it’s the right move or not, Imagine if you was a fan of the dragons.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...pment-31662173

Whether it’s the right move or not, Imagine if you was a fan of the dragons.

If you go by their playing record over recent seasons, the Dragons should be the ones to be cut, but you can’t help but contrast the WRU’s attitude towards Cardiff’s woes and Newport’s. I find it incredible that a country with Wales’ rugby history can only support three top class (they’re not even that really) clubs - rugby is in a decline in Wales, but not to the extent shown in the last two years.

[Armitage Shanks]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Worst thing they did was set up the regions.. an American model akin to mk Dons

[chrisp_1927]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

I'd keep the dragons, but on a very reduced budget. Give them guaranteed loans of Welsh players from the other 3 sides in return. The dragons have been poorly run, but they're a well supported side. Shame to see them go.

[FormerlyJohnnyBreadhead]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

If this is true, it's another nail in the coffin from an executive board that repeatedly go back on their word at almost every turn.

The job losses are bad enough but those are fans that will never come back.

And for it to come out while all the players and staff are away in South Africa is the icing on the cake.

I don't think the URC will be impressed either. I believe there is a significant financial penalty if the WRU fails to provide four teams?

Another absolute mess from surely one of the world's worst-run sporting bodies.

[llan bluebird]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Three is still too many.

It's a minority sport, and this isn't a football rant, either. No other country has four first-class clubs within a 60-mile stretch of road.

Llanelli need to go as well and have east and west superclubs playing in and British & Ireland league, but then return to a 16 club semi pro, salary capped league.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Three is still too many.

It's a minority sport, and this isn't a football rant, either. No other country has four first-class clubs within a 60-mile stretch of road.

Llanelli need to go as well and have east and west superclubs playing in and British & Ireland league, but then return to a 16 club semi pro, salary capped league.

Time was you could drive from Tredegar to Llanelli and cover a distance that had a dozen or so better quality teams in it than the current regions. Sides like Pontypool, Pontypridd, Bridgend and Neath, not to mention the likes of Ebbw Vale, newbridge, Aberavon and Maestag were all capable of top quality performances. I accept that the depth of talent is not there compared to those days, but Wales should still be capable of producing better than we've seen in the 2020s = poor administration and complacency through the first Gatland period has got more to do with the present problems than a massive decline in numbers playimng the game in my opinion.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Madness to cut the Drags.

Would increasingly lose talent from that region to the west of England, they are about to turn over a profit (albeit small) and would and further pathways into the Cardiff region inflating its population size compared to the two remaining.

Makes sense to bin off the Scarlets due to their geographical size but suspect it'll be a merger between the O's and them.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if this is a hardball negotiation tactic to get them to sign the new deal.

Either way, what a wankers trick by the WRU. Away playing in SA, finding out your job may be going.

Cowards.

[insider]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

I'm no fan of Rugby or Newport but it seems unfair on them.
They've recently had a buy out by private investors one of them being my bosses brother so they are at least funding their Own ineptitude and not currently relying on wru handouts.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

If this is true, it's another nail in the coffin from an executive board that repeatedly go back on their word at almost every turn.

The job losses are bad enough but those are fans that will never come back.

And for it to come out while all the players and staff are away in South Africa is the icing on the cake.

I don't think the URC will be impressed either. I believe there is a significant financial penalty if the WRU fails to provide four teams?

Another absolute mess from surely one of the world's worst-run sporting bodies.

Doesn't the current URC contract come to an end in 2 years which is why the WRU have the option of triggering a 2 year notification to reduce to 3 or less teams. The reduction in numbers would coincide with a new URC contract therefore no penalty.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

I'd be well pissed off, especially, as TOBW mentioned, they've just bailed out Cardiff.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Top-flight international rugby requires full-time professional club teams.
In the old days, teams like Pontypool, Neath, and Pontypridd, could attract healthy crowds for big fixtures, but could only support part-time players (boot money?). There just wasn't the money swishing around in the small towns of South Wales.
Regions seemed inevitable, if not desired. However, fan loyalty was underestimated. Your 'dyed-in-the-wool' Bridgend fan wasn't going to suddenly be standing on the Arms Park terracing cheering on Cardiff, nor the fervent Pontypool supporter heading to Rodney Parade.

Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea have to join the Guinness League for their own self-preservation. They are the only Welsh clubs that could compete in that set-up.

[WJ99mobile]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

Top-flight international rugby requires full-time professional club teams.
In the old days, teams like Pontypool, Neath, and Pontypridd, could attract healthy crowds for big fixtures, but could only support part-time players (boot money?). There just wasn't the money swishing around in the small towns of South Wales.
Regions seemed inevitable, if not desired. However, fan loyalty was underestimated. Your 'dyed-in-the-wool' Bridgend fan wasn't going to suddenly be standing on the Arms Park terracing cheering on Cardiff, nor the fervent Pontypool supporter heading to Rodney Parade.

Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea have to join the Guinness League for their own self-preservation. They are the only Welsh clubs that could compete in that set-up.

Totally agree but there’s other factors too.

Culture has changed, the days where the rugby club was the heart and soul of a community is now done whether better or for worse. Drinking cultures have changed. People’s hobbies have changed.

I can see why they’ve done it but it’s really going to alienate a lot of genuine fans.

[llan bluebird]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

British rugby needs a come-to-Jesus moment. It's not football. Too many players are trying to make a living out of the game, but the money's not there. It needs to return to being an amateur game with only the elite making a good living.

Rugby looked to football when it went pro, but there was always a pro rugby game in England, league. But, they failed to look at their structure. league's salary cap is just over £2 mill, whilst in the bankrupt English premiership it's closer to £6 mill and wales at £4.5mill

The average league salary is £38K whilst in union its between £100k~£170K. So i believe thats the debate.
Do you want average players getting paid at the expense of the better players who will go to England or France?

[chrisp_1927]

Re: Dragons to be culled from the league

I'm no fan of Rugby or Newport but it seems unfair on them.
They've recently had a buy out by private investors one of them being my bosses brother so they are at least funding their Own ineptitude and not currently relying on wru handouts.

They won't be getting additional handouts, but they would still be getting the grant every year (currently 4.5 million going up to 6 I believe ). It's that grant money that the WRU want to save. Really hope the dragons don't go. Although if they do, it would probably be a good idea for them to just Rey and join the English leagues. Never understood why ponty didn't do that years ago, they've historically been shafted by the WRU aswell