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June 01, 2005

Welsh warned that the grass isn't greener in England

Posted by Editor on June 1, 2005 12:48 AM | 7 comments | Print | E-mail author

Kenny Logan thinks the Welsh may regret their involvement in an Anglo-Welsh Cup
Glasgow's Kenny Logan admits he was stunned to hear news of the collapse of the Celtic League after a meeting of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh unions in London yesterday.

The Scottish and Irish unions will now set up a 12-game home-and-away league, and cup competition, for their seven sides and hope to welcome the leading Italian clubs in season 2006-7.

Kenny said in The Scotsman: "The Celtic League was a great concept and everyone could see it had the potential to become a very competitive league, one to rival the Premiership. That's what the Scottish, Irish and Welsh teams have been searching for for the past decade and now they get it, need to show faith and the Welsh force its collapse! For what? Six games in an English cup and some extra money?

"Wales have got carried away with a first Grand Slam success in ages and suddenly think they don't need anyone else. I'm glad the Scots and Irish unions told them where to go.

"The Welsh will discover that leading English clubs do not see the cup as a priority and field second teams in it to develop strength in depth for the Premiership and the Heineken Cup. When I first arrived at Wasps we had an Anglo-Welsh Cup and it failed - the sides weren't strong and supporters weren't interested. This will be similar and where will that leave Welsh rugby, and, more importantly, where will they leave the other Celtic nations? They need to work together."

The lure of a £3.2million pay-out over the next four years would appear to be the main reason for Wales' move. But the fact they signed up without speaking with their Celtic cousins, and then asked for the Celtic League to be returned to international weekends - a move English clubs would not permit in the cup - is what infuriated the Scottish and Irish officials.

Fred McLeod, the SRU's interim chief executive, and professional rugby director Keith Grainger stuck to their guns at Heathrow Airport yesterday and, along with the Irish representatives, agreed to go it alone. With a Scottish/Irish league and cup plus European competition, players will still have around 18 games, and friendly matches with visiting sides are being looked at. The Italian Rugby Federation declined to become involved at this stage, but their leading clubs, such as Calvisano and Treviso, may join the Scots and Irish next season.

You can read the article here

Comments
Posted by Big G on June 1, 2005 08:11 AM | Reply to this comment

What a mess, 9 home games and maybe a couple of friendlies thrown in, isn't it just going to put our already financially beleagured pro teams in an even bigger mess?

Posted by ballinj on June 1, 2005 01:04 PM | Reply to this comment

not really - if you think about it last year there was only 10 home games in the celtic league plus the three european games. so in effect only losing one game, which we will hopefully make up by qualifying for a home tie in the qtr finals of the heineken cup !!! and no I am not taking bets on that happening.

Still a shame that the Celtic league has ended. I have had no end of welsh fans, that I have met over the last few years of celtic league clashes, phoning me to apologise and to have a good grumble about how annoyed they are at the demise of the celtic league.

Posted by weee on June 1, 2005 10:36 AM | Reply to this comment

I can't help but feel the Scottish & Irish Unions had no real alternative here. To do anything else would effectively have let the Welsh piss all over us.

I really hope what Kenny says about the level of English teams being true. It will leave the Welsh teams with no really competitive games outside the Heineken Cup and any Welsh only games they put together.

Not the best preparation to defend their 6N trophy.

Posted by McDruid on June 1, 2005 01:55 PM | Reply to this comment

Listening to what Kenny Logan says reminds me of what has been wrong in Scottish rugby for a long time, namely, assuming that because a guy has been a good player he actually knows anything about the administrative and business side of the game. It does not follow, as Paterson's and Telfer's reigns at the SRU show most eloquently.

Posted by weee on June 1, 2005 03:42 PM | Reply to this comment

The bit Kenny Logan said to which I was referring was that the English teams will not treat the CUP as seriously as the Premiership. He highlighted his EXPERIENCE as a player in the last attempt at an Anglo-Welsh cup.

Your quite right that players do not necessarily become good administrators, but I do think they are entitled to comment on the playing side.

He could very well be right here, because I suspect Heineken qualification will come via Premiership & not this CUP competition.

Posted by derekhendo on July 1, 2005 12:15 AM | Reply to this comment

Your comment 'smacks' of the pervading attitude in too many of rugby's supposed supporters, self gratifacation. Get off your hobby horse and support the ONE, ie. the whole not just your own wee empire!!!!!

Posted by hugh on June 1, 2005 02:48 PM | Reply to this comment

Murrayfield never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity

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