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Trouble in Wales?
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<blockquote data-quote="Bruce_ma gooshvili" data-source="post: 936950" data-attributes="member: 74121"><p>I think the WRU should have a conversation with the SRU if they are considering a franchise in North Wales. As I understand it, it isn't a densely populated area and doesn't have a strong rugby heritage across the area. </p><p></p><p>The Scottish borders has been a hotbed of rugby, but could not support a franchise. Smaller towns are often parochial rivals and fans may be reluctant to travel even 10 miles from one town to another to watch sport. </p><p></p><p>Similarly, the SRU haven't even entertained a franchise in reasonable sized cities of Aberdeen and Dundee, they didn't even give them a club in their new semi-pro league. The only success they have in new areas is playing pre-season matches in Stirling. I have to sympathise with the view that if money is tight and you are under pressure, the last thing you should be doing is engaging in a risky enterprise. </p><p></p><p>I'd also say that just because things aren't working perfectly never rule out things becoming even worse if you change them. The WRU gave the Dragons one year of increased investment and squandered it on an underperforming coach - there is significant potential upside there if they get the coaching right. Scarlets crowds were much better last year and Ospreys crowds reportedly haven't always been so low. I am missing something here. At least with Australia cutting the Western force I could understand the argument of removing one franchise. But I'm not even grasping the argument here</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bruce_ma gooshvili, post: 936950, member: 74121"] I think the WRU should have a conversation with the SRU if they are considering a franchise in North Wales. As I understand it, it isn't a densely populated area and doesn't have a strong rugby heritage across the area. The Scottish borders has been a hotbed of rugby, but could not support a franchise. Smaller towns are often parochial rivals and fans may be reluctant to travel even 10 miles from one town to another to watch sport. Similarly, the SRU haven't even entertained a franchise in reasonable sized cities of Aberdeen and Dundee, they didn't even give them a club in their new semi-pro league. The only success they have in new areas is playing pre-season matches in Stirling. I have to sympathise with the view that if money is tight and you are under pressure, the last thing you should be doing is engaging in a risky enterprise. I'd also say that just because things aren't working perfectly never rule out things becoming even worse if you change them. The WRU gave the Dragons one year of increased investment and squandered it on an underperforming coach - there is significant potential upside there if they get the coaching right. Scarlets crowds were much better last year and Ospreys crowds reportedly haven't always been so low. I am missing something here. At least with Australia cutting the Western force I could understand the argument of removing one franchise. But I'm not even grasping the argument here [/QUOTE]
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