May 31, 2005

Celtic League collapses

Posted by Editor on May 31, 2005 05:01 PM | 2 comments | Print | E-mail author
BBC Scrum V understands that the four Welsh regions have been thrown out of the Celtic League.

Following a meeting between the Irish, Scottish and Welsh rugby unions on Tuesday, 31 May, the Scarlets, Blues, Dragons and current Celtic League champions the Ospreys, were expelled.

The moves comes following the WRU's proposals for a new Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Welsh rugby's governing body believes that securing a new cup competition between England's 12 premier sides and the Welsh regions would improve the game within the Principality.

"I think everyone is aware of our stance. We've got a duty to ensure our regions survive financially." Explained Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering.

"The Welsh regions need this high-intensity competition, they need regular meaningful games and that's what we will aim to achieve."

However his Irish and Scottish counterparts beg to differ, believing that and Anglo-Welsh cup competition would devalue the Celtic League.

As a result the Irish and Scots have declared that they will set up a new league on their own, excluding Wales and leaving the Celtic League defunct.

More here

Comments
Posted by McDruid on June 1, 2005 02:16 PM | Reply to this comment

Poor old David Jordan! Will he now collect another redundancy cheque?

Posted by Patrick on June 1, 2005 04:22 PM | Reply to this comment

Quote: "The Welsh regions need this high-intensity competition, they need regular meaningful games and that's what we will aim to achieve." I.e. Celtic League is not regular, high-intensity or meaningful?
Obviously CL was just a stop-gap for the Welsh until they thought they were good enough to join their pals across the Severn again.

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