The Welsh Connection: Faletau’s defection; mixed bag in Europe

December 16, 2015 No comments

faletau

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

A lot can happen in a week. It is also true to say that Welsh rugby fans face a rollercoaster of emotion on a daily basis. From unexpected victories to devastating defeats, no two weekends are the same west of the Severn – and form in Welsh rugby seems to dip in and out more often than chips in curry sauce on a Saturday night in Cardiff.

Last week, the rollercoaster of emotion took shape off the pitch, with contract renewals and terminations becoming the mainstay of news in Welsh rugby. Only two weeks ago in my article for The Rugby Blog I made the following statement:

“…there has been a newfound peace between the WRU and the regions – music to the ears of any Welsh club rugby fan…”

But after what has been a calm, collected and co-operative start to the season, are the cracks beginning to show again between club and country? To what extent is communication between the WRU and Regional Rugby Wales open and free-flowing? And why oh why did the WRU block a move to Bath for Faletau, only to fail to secure him beyond the end of the season…?

Last week saw the announcement that Taulupe Faletau, a stalwart of the Welsh pack in recent times, is off across the bridge to Bath – a move which was prevented a matter of weeks ago. Incensed by this departure (and a loss of a transfer fee as a result of it) it didn’t take long for fans to take to Twitter in frustration:

And it’s not just the fans who have been left feeling dissolute. Last week, the Dragons also pointed the finger of blame towards the WRU in a statement suggesting that not enough was done to keep the Number 8 in Wales.

Sadly, though, whatever the exact figure was for Faletau’s transfer fee this forms part of a bigger issue: it appears to be yet another example of club and country failing to work together as a cohesive unit. Whether or not ‘Gatland’s Law’ will be imposed on Faletau is a whole other story, but the key factor here is that it instils fear in Welsh rugby. News of a return home for Jonathan Davies and a possible move back for Halfpenny had given fans hope – hope that we can compete on the big stage, compete in Europe, retain our nurtured talent. But in this instance, the Dragons have not only lost one of their star players, they have lost the cash which would’ve gone a long way in their recruitment drive before next season.

It has also been cited that Taulupe Faletau would have stayed with the Dragons if the WRU were prepared to pay an extra £25,000 per annum, up to £350,000. Whilst I can appreciate the contribution that players like Gareth Anscombe have made/are predicted to make to Welsh rugby, it is a real shame that we aren’t able to use whatever funds we have at our disposal to secure the players already plying their trade in Wales who have already shown that they are a vital asset to the continuous development of professional rugby in Wales.

Frustratingly, it wasn’t only Faletau’s departure that showed a lack of cohesion between the WRU and the regions. Last week also saw the WRU announce that they had withdrawn a dual contract offer to Scott Williams after the Ospreys swooped in and offered a more lucrative sum, effectively forcing the hand of the WRU. It was then up to the Scarlets to up the ante in order to secure Scott Williams and ensure that he continues his career in Llanelli.

The Scarlets managed it. Scott stays.

Whilst the retention of Scott Williams is a huge boost for the West Wales region, it is a shame that the means by which they had to acquire him has left such a sour taste in the mouth. The WRU going to the press over this matter only heightens the concern that there is a lack of co-operation between the WRU and the regions. Unless there is a ruling in place to suggest otherwise, the Ospreys were within their right to offer Scott an independent contract. I understand that Scott is thrilled to have renewed his contract in Llanelli, and ultimately his passion for the club is what has driven his desire to remain at Parc Y Scarlets. Young Openside James Davies has also extended his contract for the West Wales region, so next season’s squad is beginning to take shape nicely for Mr. Pivac.

We can just hope, though, that this tug of war between the WRU and France/England for player retention doesn’t develop further into another tug of war between the WRU and the regions.

But fear not – it’s not all doom and gloom for the WRU. To end on a more positive note, one contract extension which left Welsh fans happy last week was that of Shaun Edwards, who has signed up for another four years! He has, without a shadow of a doubt, played a huge part in the national game in Wales over the past few years, so to have the knowledge that he will be staying on until the next World Cup will be a real relief to most.

Bring on the 6 Nations…

The Regions

A mixed bag of results this weekend saw the Blues score five tries to see off visitors Montpellier 37-27. The Dragons also continued their run of good form which saw them keep a clean sheet against Pau winning 22-0, and the Ospreys managed to make an extra man count against Bordeaux-Begles after a red card for an horrendous tackle on Dan Biggar, eventually winning 19-16.

The Scarlets’ dismal showing in Europe continued, however, when they were comprehensively beaten in Glasgow 43-6. So it’s all eyes on the league for the men from the West.

The Grassroots

In the British and Irish Cup this weekend, the results did not go the Welsh way. All four regional XVs suffered defeat as the lack of cohesion with the new-look squads continued throughout the third round of the competition. With the Scarlets and the Ospreys now having lost three from three and Cardiff’s best result being a draw, there’s a long way to go before the teams can really start forming a presence within the competition. London Welsh, on the other hand, whose league campaign has not been the best this season, managed a terrific 42-17 win against Nottingham putting them in second place in Pool 4.

In the Swalec Championship, Newcastle Emlyn’s match against Llanharan was postponed after the pitch was deemed unplayable. RGC 1404 on the other hand continued their impressive form this season, comfortably beating Newbridge RFC 31-0.

Moment of the week: When Dragons Scrum Half Sarel Pretorius broke through the line from his own 22, only to run the length of the pitch and score his team’s first try against Pau.

Tweet of the week:

The rumour mill: It was confirmed on Monday evening that Rhys Patchell will be leaving the Blues at the end of the season – after weeks of speculation, a move to the Scarlets was officially announced during the early hours of the following morning.

By Daniel Jenkins

Follow Daniel on Twitter: @DanWJenkins

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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