🏉 Tough Times Ahead for Welsh Rugby?
Key figures from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) are heading to Westminster! Amid growing concerns about the future of professional rugby in Wales, WRU’s CEO Abi Tierney and Chair Richard Collier-Keywood will face the Welsh Affairs Committee on Jan 21st. This comes ahead of the Six Nations kickoff against England.
The WRU has been considering cutting Welsh regional sides from four to three, causing uncertainty. If current discussions don’t lead to an agreement soon, a tender process will decide which clubs survive. An Extraordinary General Meeting might be in the pipeline, as many community clubs are already calling for one.
Meanwhile, former Ireland star Alan Quinlan predicts a tough Six Nations for Wales, hinting they might struggle again this year. With a hard schedule and recent poor performance, questions linger about depth and quality in the Welsh team. New head coach Steve Tandy is optimistic following a decent autumn series, but Quinlan suggests Wales needs more than just hope and hard work to succeed: “They have very few world-class players,” he says, highlighting the need for Wales to dig deep.
On a brighter note, the Wales U20 team is gearing up for action, with coach Richard Whiffin announcing a 45-man extended squad ahead of the U20s Six Nations. They’ve scheduled a final warm-up against Cardiff RFC on Jan 16th. Whiffin is keen to build on recent training gains as they prepare to tackle England in their opener.
Can Wales overcome these hurdles and make a mark in this year’s Six Nations? Let us know your thoughts! #WelshRugby #SixNations #WRU