Where now for Welsh rugby after a year of trial and turmoil?
Wayne Pivac has been fired as Wales coach. Warren Gatland will take over. The international game is the main source of income for the Welsh Rugby Union. Jonathan Thomas, Steve Tandy, Robin McBryde and Paul Gustard are being touted as possible assistants. The players will also be selected. Welsh rugby has had a year of trial and turmoil. It's often the case that an international coach takes over after a World Cup. That tends to mean farewell to some stalwart servants and introduction of a batch of fresh faces.
Gatland is coming in with less than a year to go to the 2023 World Cup. He will be looking for players to replace the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens, Jarrod Evans, Rhys Webb and Nicky Smith. Cardiff are leading the way in the regions, having won eight out of 12 matches in all competitions so far this season. The Ospreys have turned the corner, with their recent Heineken Champions Cup victory away to French title holders Montpellier. Scarlets have won just one of their ten URC matches.
The negotiations over a financial settlement with the WRU have dragged on for months. Some players and staff are in limbo. The next two years are going to be challenging financially for the regions. Will Rowlands is leaving the Dragons at the end of the season to join French club Racing 92. Max Llewellyn is off to England, most likely Gloucester. There are questions over the 60-cap rule.
The 60-cap rule is not a deterrent to star players leaving the country. The regions will have to think long and hard about the make-up of their squads. All four regions are the supply chain for Team Wales. They are also the source of funding for the whole domestic game. Wasps and Worcester went into administration in England. It is crucial everything possible is done to keep them afloat and provide them with a viable future. There is a financial settlement dubbed a survival deal. One can only hope it will do its job in terms of enabling teams to compete. If it does, all four teams will emerge the other side with improved resourcing.
