"Actually happening" - Welsh region set to merge with London club
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 February 2023 at 21:33
Reports suggest that Ealing Trailfinders, a second-tier English rugby club, is considering the possibility of joining the Welsh Rugby Union and either merging with or replacing one of the four existing regions.
After failing to secure entry into the Gallagher Premiership, the clubs players were informed in a meeting that the club is in talks with the WRU and United Rugby Championship about the potential for competing in the URC.
According to Wales Online, the proposal being discussed at a high level involves one of the financially struggling Welsh regions either merging with Ealing or ceasing to exist, with the new team playing out of London.
This plan could see a number of high-profile Welsh rugby players joining Ealing Trailfinders, who are backed by wealthy entrepreneur Mike Gooley.
What's happening in Wales?
Next week, during a meeting of the organization representing professional players in Wales, the possibility of taking industrial action will be discussed.
The proposed walk-out would require the support of prominent and well-known players from Wales to address issues that are of greater concern to players in the middle ranks.
Around 70 players - including some current Wales Six Nations squad members - are out of contract at the end of the 2022-23 season with no renewals being offered..
Wales face England on Saturday, 25 February.
How much money would the WRU lose?
Approx £8.1m according to Wales Online.
What happens if Six Nations match is cancelled?
In the case a match is cancelled, it's likely a Six Nations panel will be convened to determine the allocation of points and a further announcement would be made shortly after.
If it operates similar to the Premiership, England would likely be awarded a win without a bonus-point with Wales receiving nothing.
The WRU could also be fined for not meeting their obligations by broadcasters and sponsors.
Nigel Owens calls for FIVE law changes ahead of 2023 Six Nations
Popular former international referee Nigel Owens says rugby’s new Laws are NOT working to improve the game.
He's also not a fan of the proposed new tackle height laws.
“I don’t think people are signing a petition not wanting to make the game safe.” said Owens
“They are signing it because they want to know how this is going to better the game, how is it going to make the game safer.
“If the ball carrier is going to ground near the try-line, how are you going to be able to get below his waist to tackle him?
“How do you now set up a maul? Because the ball-carrier is on his feet, the defenders wrap around him and you can’t join a maul below the waist.
“There are a lot of question marks and that is what needs to be addressed.”
Owens, who hung up his whistle two years ago, has come up with five possible changes to encourage expansive rugby.
#1. Scrap the goal-line dropout
Owens wrote: "As for goal-line dropouts, I was a big fan initially because I felt it would prevent attacking teams from numerous pick-and-gos near the try line, with teams instead attempting to move the ball wide to avoid being held up and losing possession.
" But I'm not sure it has worked as planned. We still see plenty of pick-and-gos until teams get over, we still see plenty of mauls and the number of collisions hasn't decreased.
"We are also seeing fewer scrums near the goal line, and to be honest I'm not sure that is a good thing. The scrum needs to be an important part of the game, and right now we are not seeing the benefits of it. Rugby must continue to be a game for all shapes and sizes, and at all levels, too.
Attacking teams are also kicking longer knowing that if the ball rolls dead, the defending team has to do a goal-line dropout and they can get the ball back.
"We've also lost the short dropouts we used to see from the 22-metre line where teams would compete to win the ball back, or a quick dropout would be taken, because teams now backed up on their goal line just kick the ball long to escape and what happens? The opposition kick it back.
"From initially believing it would work, I would now like the goal-line dropout law to go to be honest. If anything it is having a negative effect."
#2. Stricter refereeing of RUCK's
Owens wrote: "When people say the caterpillar ruck is boring I agree for sure. We need to referee the 'use it' and five seconds law much better.
"I would even go as far and change the law to 'use it' after three seconds. The referee must call for the ball to be used when it is available, not wait for it to be halfway up the caterpillar ruck and then call it."
#3. Less TMO
Owens wrote: "We should aim for good performances that facilitate good games. In my opinion, perfect has become the enemy of the good because people are striving for a standard that is unachievable. A frustrating over-reliance on the TMO is one result of this fear of getting things wrong.
"Pressure is being exerted on referees by spectators, social media users, coaches, players, performance reviewers and referee managers. That is a lot of people scrutinising everything. I think we need to take a step back and make sure we pick up the things that matter."
#4. Less replacements
Owens, who would like to see the number of replacements reduced from eight to four our five, previously said: "This is something I have been saying for a long time.
"Every question and answer session I do I am always asked which law I would like to change and I always say I would like to see the substitution law changed.
"We as referees and referee managers in World Rugby, we're always looking at things that need to be applied firmer, which contributes to the safety of the game and that is an ongoing process
"It is a physical game and unless you change it beyond total recognition of what the sport is, you are going to have to accept that there is going to be a risk of injury, but a minimal risk if you compare it to people that are injured everyday in walking about doing nothing."
#5. Crooked feeds must go
Owens wrote in his column for The Telegraph during the Lions series: "Some of the scrum-feeds from both sides - particularly in the second half by Cobus Reinach - were beyond a joke.
"I must say that I have been as guilty of not giving enough free-kicks for crooked feeds as any referee, but it has to be stopped as soon as possible now. Scrum-halves simply have to put the ball into scrums in an acceptable manner.
"Everyone you speak to about it wants feeds to be straight. Brian Moore has been making the point for years and I agree with him. Everyone comments on it, and there is no excuse. It has been allowed to creep in, after a brief crackdown a couple of years ago."
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