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IRISH rugby’s power-brokers are being forced to watch on from the sidelines as the Welsh civil war deepens, with the ramifications for the game here increasingly alarming.
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What is clear is that events in the boardrooms of Cardiff will have an impact on next season for the four provinces, with the prospect of new regions being created becoming more and more likely as relations between the current regions and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) continue to sour.
The union has committed to continuing to provide teams to the Pro12 and the ERC-run Heineken Cup, despite missing its deadline for renewing the participation agreement with the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and the Newport-Gwent Dragons who are represented by Regional Rugby Wales (RRW).
The result of the breakdown could see Neath, Pontypridd and Colwyn Bay host professional teams next year as the existing regions look to join with the English clubs in their alternative European competition, the Rugby Champions Cup. They have also discussed the possibility of joining an expanded Premiership.
The wrangling all comes against the backdrop of the uncertainty over the future of European rugby, with the English clubs still planning on sitting out next season’s Heineken Cup, with the current Welsh regions on the other side of the debate from their union and backing the Rugby Champions Cup.
With the Pro12 already weakened by the exodus of Welsh players to France, the impact of a poorer competition on the Irish sides’ competitiveness in Europe is another point to consider.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne described the Union as being like a “cork on the tide” recently as they await the impact of decisions being made without their input as the future of the two major competitions the provinces are involved in remain under threat.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland does not hold out much hope of a peace deal with the WRU after the deadline of December 31 passed. He said the regions were committed to Plan A, which has been offered to the WRU, of continuing to play in a Celtic competition along the lines of the current Pro12, as well as a Rugby Champions Cup with the English clubs which could also include the Irish and Scots.
Plan B is a breakaway league between the Welsh and English clubs, with all the potential governance and legal problems that would involve. The regions have now set their own deadline of the end of January before they will push ahead with that alternative option recently confirmed with the English clubs.
In return, the WRU has threatened to pull all their funding from the regions and put it into the alternative teams.
ADDITIONAL
“We have decided not to extend the current terms. What we have done is put a new negotiated position on the table to play in a new Champions Cup with the English which would see the Welsh regions come into an additional £1m each for three years, which would also see extra resources for the Irish and Scots if they want to join,” Holland said.
“We could play in the Champions Cup, the Rabo and the (Anglo-Welsh) Cup, it would be £1m more per region than we currently get from the Heineken Cup. We hope that once the union receives that proposal it could agree to it and we could move forward.
“If the union does not agree, then we revert to option B, but we do not want to discuss that or put that on the table as we believe option A is a fair solution.
“I was worried before Christmas because the options available to us were limited, now I am excited about where it may lead because Regional Rugby Wales has been able to negotiate a competition that will see us come in for additional monies that will enable us to be stronger as a region and have further discussions with the international players we are so keen to keep.
“I’d like to think they would see the merit of what we are proposing, but I am not holding too much hope. Nobody wants to go down the other route but it remains to be seen if we have to.”
A WRU statement said: “The Welsh Rugby Union is confident that professional teams from Wales will continue to take part in sanctioned league and cup competitions in the best interests of all of Welsh rugby. The WRU also remains confident that a European rugby cup competition under the management of the ERC will take place next season. Welsh teams will also continue to play in the Pro12 league organised by Celtic Rugby Ltd.
“Furthermore the WRU reaffirms its commitment to the International Rugby Board‘s regulations which provide that cross-border competitions and tournaments may only take place with the full approval of the relevant unions.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff have denied that Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny has joined Toulon.
Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/american-football/news/12118/9056766/nfl-former-rugby-player-daniel-adongo-promoted-to-indianapolis-colts-full-roster
Welsh civil war casting big shadow over Ireland
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