But i think that we are now where we are due to the ERC/Rabo12 apathy with regards the French & English concerns. The fact that they now concede to most points regarding qualification and finance shows the stupidity of their initial stance.
Yes it may now be a battle over power, but i know who i blame for letting it get this far.
Are you serious?
PRL signed the BT deal a matter of weeks after publically declaring their leave of ERC. You don't sign contracts worth hundreds of millions in a matter of weeks.
This was always happening and it was over two things:
1. Money
2. Power
The qualification issue was a nice sideshow which looked good on newspapers - but ultimately the PRL didn't give a ***** about Zebre or Edinburgh being in the HEC beyond them taking money that could otherwise have went to the PRL. Sporting integrity is so far down their list of priorities its right alongside should standardised loo roll is used in the stadia for HEC games.
There are two entirely different philosophies here:
1. The big clubs should get more money because... well... they are the big clubs. A system similar to the soccer Premiership.
2. A more progressive distribution of monies should be encouraged to improve competitiveness. A system similar to the NFL in the states.
Personally, I am strongly in favour of the latter. Leicester fans will go to Ravenhill on Friday night looking forward to a ***anic battle, one which they could realistically win. Ulstermen and women will do exactly the same. Either team have very realistic chances of winning which makes it all the more intriguing.
If the PRL had its way, then Leicester would probably walk over Ulster. Indeed, the HEC would reduce to 4+2+1 effective games. The Top 4 clubs in France vs. the top 4 clubs in England. Its already happening with the salary cap lip-service in England and the millionaire's plaything in France.
Right now, the beauty of the HEC is - nearly every damn game counts. Your looking at dozens of crucial games - which makes it unmissable.
[Not to mention the wider implications for the 6N and the health of the sport as a significant spectator and participant sport.]
That is a interesting read, and i don't think anyone can disagree with the success that the Wales team has had. But, seeing as many of it's top players will now be based abroad, does that mean any further success can be down to the PRL/LNR system they play in? I don't think so.
The PRL/LNR system didn't develop their skillsets though. It didn't provide the Darwinian environment for them to learn the lessons that can only be learned through experience at high-enough levels.
It also heaps praise on the development of the Wales U20 side, but then points out that it was beaten by the England U20 side in the recent final....so surely that means the PRL system of development is the better? I don't think so.
It says to me that the current Wales team are very good and have a good management team in Gats etc. But i still believe it suffers from squad depth, as the recent tour to Japan showed. England had a great team in 2003, but were shown to be lacking in depth soon after with retirements and injuries, resulting in being the worst defending WC champs ever.
What is the population of Wales?
C'mon - try and compare like with like!
