Weekends EDF RU games

[Welshbeef]

Ok so Cardiff Blues at home tonight 7.35pm k.o. - its going to be on BBC Interactive/freeview interactive.

Then another key game London Irish v Osprays - I'll be going to that supporting Osprays even though I live in Reading & support London Irish for all other G.Prem games.

Whats peoples views about the WRU & court action to get the players released.... & the IRB stepping out of the ring yet with England they stepped into the ring to get the resoluting... why the difference?

[Jinx]

Welshbeef said:

Ok so Cardiff Blues at home tonight 7.35pm k.o. - its going to be on BBC Interactive/freeview interactive.

Then another key game London Irish v Osprays - I'll be going to that supporting Osprays even though I live in Reading & support London Irish for all other G.Prem games.

Whats peoples views about the WRU & court action to get the players released.... & the IRB stepping out of the ring yet with England they stepped into the ring to get the resoluting... why the difference?

ahem.....

Cough....

mmmm... la la la la......

C'mon you Exiles

Should be a cracker of a game and I hope the best (and by best I mean London Irish) team wins.

Back to the topic though. Why did it have to come to a High court decision? Are the clubs that disillusioned with the Welsh National squad that having players out on international Duty is seen as a negative thing? Admittedly only a die hard expects a good result against the All blacks or the Aussies but the Autumn internationals are the only true guide as to how well the team will fare in a world cup.
It is not just an honour to play for country but also a duty and there should be something in the laws of the club that the country comes first (unless the WRU start paying pointless games to increase revenue..... )
I can understand why the IRB kept out of it though - these things need to be made clear at the club/country level (unless the result goes the wrong way )

[Welshbeef]

[/quote]

ahem.....

Cough....

mmmm... la la la la......

C'mon you Exiles

Should be a cracker of a game and I hope the best (and by best I mean London Irish) team wins.

Back to the topic though. Why did it have to come to a High court decision? Are the clubs that disillusioned with the Welsh National squad that having players out on international Duty is seen as a negative thing? Admittedly only a die hard expects a good result against the All blacks or the Aussies but the Autumn internationals are the only true guide as to how well the team will fare in a world cup.
It is not just an honour to play for country but also a duty and there should be something in the laws of the club that the country comes first (unless the WRU start paying pointless games to increase revenue..... )
I can understand why the IRB kept out of it though - these things need to be made clear at the club/country level (unless the result goes the wrong way )

[/quote]


They are fine to release for the actual test games but this is to do with releasing for 12 days training with the Wales Squad - which as it turns out clashes with this weekends EDF club games. The clubs wanted to give the players 5 days release to the squad Gatland wanted 12 days.

Whos to blame? EDF scheduling? Gatland wants the best chance of beating the Bocca & the arguement is that a strong National side will earn more revenue for the WRU & then the WRU give the provincial sides more £ for the player release. But the issue is for the actual clubs say your a season ticket holder you rarely see the star players & frankly your the core bread & butter for the WRU!

Also attendances of sub 8000 and all the sides bar Newport gwent Dragons have got nice new big stadiums which are just empty so no atmosphere.

[Jinx]

Welshbeef said:

Also attendances of sub 8000 and all the sides bar Newport gwent Dragons have got nice new big stadiums which are just empty so no atmosphere.

Should join the Guinness Premiership - then they'll see some fans in seats (I've already booked my ticket for the final this year - start and finish the season at twickenham ) Of course if the national team does well it raises the profile of the sport, creating more fans, which increases the number of bums on seats at the club games. So I guess a balancing act needs to be maintained (which would work better if the regional and the WRU could get along without High Court cases) .

PS I'll next be at the Madejski on the 23rd for the game against the sarries - should be there early to sup a few Guinnesses

[ewenm]

I'm going to annoy my mate tonight by trying to persuade him to watch the Cardiff - Bath game tonight. Bath need to win...

[hornetrider]

Welshbeef said:

Ok so Cardiff Blues at home tonight 7.35pm k.o. - its going to be on BBC Interactive/freeview interactive.

Cheers for the reminder!!

[Logie]

Its the fixture list, its fking stupid how its done and theres no supprise why there is conflict between WRU and the clubs.

I agree that the national side should have the players in advance, but also understand why the clubs dont want to release them with crunch EDF games. Blame? Has to go to the people who organise the fixtures!

Any, come on the blues. Should be interesting to see how they will performance with 7 players out, still should be a game that can edge a win though!

[Welshbeef]

Ill be supporting the Blues tonight - last week could only get "Fan" commentry which was quite amusing - the first thing I heard was a text message had come in and the chap stated he only had 1 can of Guiness and cider in the house and wanted to know which he should drink first... this lead to well it might be a nice 3ltr bottle of cider if so "bosh it down old boi" and then swig the guiness to finish you off...

Amusingly he accidently called the Scarlets "oh what a great break for the Jacks... " that went down lke a lead ballon.