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Pontypridd MP Owen Smith wants Welsh regional rugby shake-up | Pontypridd MP Owen Smith wants Welsh regional rugby shake-up |
(1 day later) | |
An MP has called for more regional clubs in Wales to renew interest in domestic top-flight rugby. | An MP has called for more regional clubs in Wales to renew interest in domestic top-flight rugby. |
Pontypridd MP Owen Smith said many people had been left without local sides to support since the game was reorganised 10 years ago. | Pontypridd MP Owen Smith said many people had been left without local sides to support since the game was reorganised 10 years ago. |
Wales' four existing regions have announced a salary cap amid fears of falling crowds and a mass exodus of players to France. | Wales' four existing regions have announced a salary cap amid fears of falling crowds and a mass exodus of players to France. |
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said it was working to produce a sustainable model. | The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said it was working to produce a sustainable model. |
The regions will spend a maximum of £3.5m on their senior squads next year. | The regions will spend a maximum of £3.5m on their senior squads next year. |
Under the current structure the four regional teams are based in Cardiff, Llanelli, Newport and Swansea. | Under the current structure the four regional teams are based in Cardiff, Llanelli, Newport and Swansea. |
Mr Smith told BBC Radio Wales that regional rugby had been developed "on the back of a fag packet" and left many in Wales such as those in the south Wales valleys without a regional club to support. | Mr Smith told BBC Radio Wales that regional rugby had been developed "on the back of a fag packet" and left many in Wales such as those in the south Wales valleys without a regional club to support. |
He has commissioned a review into the creation of a regional presence in the valleys. | He has commissioned a review into the creation of a regional presence in the valleys. |
"Why could we not think about revising the structure once more?" he asked. | "Why could we not think about revising the structure once more?" he asked. |
"It's inevitable when you have got wealthier rugby communities like in France some of our players are going to go abroad - I think that's a fact of life. | "It's inevitable when you have got wealthier rugby communities like in France some of our players are going to go abroad - I think that's a fact of life. |
"One of the things the regions have got right is the academy system clearly works - we are generating lots of players - there is the player capacity out there to have a greater number of sides but with a different economic structure." | "One of the things the regions have got right is the academy system clearly works - we are generating lots of players - there is the player capacity out there to have a greater number of sides but with a different economic structure." |
Mr Smith's home constituency was originally represented by the Celtic Warriors, which was formed from a partnership between Pontypridd RFC and Bridgend RFC when Wales moved to regional teams in 2003. | |
Despite a successful first season on the field, the Celtic Warriors were disbanded the following year as a cost-cutting measure. Since then Pontypridd has been under the administrative umbrella of the Cardiff Blues, with Bridgend being absorbed by the Swansea-based Ospreys. | Despite a successful first season on the field, the Celtic Warriors were disbanded the following year as a cost-cutting measure. Since then Pontypridd has been under the administrative umbrella of the Cardiff Blues, with Bridgend being absorbed by the Swansea-based Ospreys. |
The WRU also launched a development regional side in north Wales in 2010, but the company running the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru team went into administration in January 2011 because of financial difficulties. | The WRU also launched a development regional side in north Wales in 2010, but the company running the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru team went into administration in January 2011 because of financial difficulties. |
From July 2012 each of the four remaining regional teams - the Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys - will spend a maximum of £3.5m on Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup squad members. | From July 2012 each of the four remaining regional teams - the Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys - will spend a maximum of £3.5m on Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup squad members. |
'Hearts and minds' | 'Hearts and minds' |
Attendances for Heineken Cup matches in Wales are well behind those in England and France. | Attendances for Heineken Cup matches in Wales are well behind those in England and France. |
The RaboDirect PRO12 league, featuring teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, have lagged well behind England's Aviva Premiership during the current season. | The RaboDirect PRO12 league, featuring teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, have lagged well behind England's Aviva Premiership during the current season. |
WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said he welcomed the wage cap and the regions and WRU were looking at many other aspects of the club game. | WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said he welcomed the wage cap and the regions and WRU were looking at many other aspects of the club game. |
"We are working together to come up with a model that is sustainable," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "We are working together to come up with a model that is sustainable," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
"We have got to win over the hearts and minds of everyone in Wales to connect with our rugby. | "We have got to win over the hearts and minds of everyone in Wales to connect with our rugby. |
"We continue to produce young talent... and that's the confidence the Welsh public can take." | "We continue to produce young talent... and that's the confidence the Welsh public can take." |
Neil MacLean-Smith, general secretary of the Welsh Rugby Players Association: "When you attend games you can tell that there aren't as many people turning up. | Neil MacLean-Smith, general secretary of the Welsh Rugby Players Association: "When you attend games you can tell that there aren't as many people turning up. |
"As a player performance is hugely affected by attendance. A good crowd gives you that extra percentage in terms of drive and push. | "As a player performance is hugely affected by attendance. A good crowd gives you that extra percentage in terms of drive and push. |
"Welsh regional rugby is running on a knife-edge and the current economic conditions have tipped it over into the negative. Regional backers are not as flush as they were two or three years ago. | "Welsh regional rugby is running on a knife-edge and the current economic conditions have tipped it over into the negative. Regional backers are not as flush as they were two or three years ago. |
"Regions and WRU need to get round the table and find a joined-up approach to putting things right." | "Regions and WRU need to get round the table and find a joined-up approach to putting things right." |