Project Reset has been. . err . . . re-set – at least until the start of the 2020-21 season. But the various ideas for the reform of the regional game in Wales have not been shelved, just shuffled along the desk a little. Robin Davey looks at the options and says money, as usual, will trump those quaint little considerations like performance or fair play.
Those people disturbed and confused by Brexit ought to turn for comparison to domestic rugby in Wales, where the future is at best uncertain and at worst a nightmare.
Project Reset – which was supposed to be the new deal between the Welsh Rugby Union and the regions – has yet to be signed. The players are increasingly anxious about their future, contracts can’t be finalised, and nobody knows where they stand.
All this has come to the fore a bit under the radar as the Six Nations takes priority. But talks are continuing behind the scenes and details have been leaking out.
At the heart of the problem is money – or the lack of it. The regions have been struggling to compete in Europe and all four were knocked out at the pool stages this season.
They haven’t been particularly successful in the Pro 14 competition, either. So, the WRU are stepping in to try to force change through.
Chief executive Martyn Phillips says doing nothing is not an option. But are they going to do the right thing? What does the future hold for Welsh rugby at professional level?
For a start, reducing the number of teams is not really an option because income, already tight, would be further reduced from television agreements.
The possibility of setting up a North Wales region has resurfaced again, this time more strongly than ever.
If that happens it would obviously be at the expense of one of the current teams and that has been given added credence by rumours surrounding the future of the Ospreys.
They have been Wales’ most successful team on the field, yet there was a strong suggestion last week that either their future was in jeopardy or they would combine with Cardiff Blues.
Neither – it seems – is now happening and a statement from Ospreys chief Andrew Millward insisted they would still be around next season and nothing would change.
Pretty firm then, but pointedly referring only to next season. The status quo is, indeed, expected to remain, but what after that?
Change is coming for sure, but in what form? One theory is there will be a 2+2 situation whereby there will be two fully funded regions –hopefully, capable of competing in Europe – with the other two reduced to a development status.
Given that the Union appear keen to form a new region in the north that could involve the two West Wales outfits – the Scarlets and Ospreys – combining and along with Cardiff Blues becoming the two fully funded sides.
The newly formed North Wales region and the Dragons would then exist as development teams.
But that is just one idea. All will be revealed, probably after the Six Nations, which is late in the day and hardly fair on the players who are basically left dangling in mid-air.
Having said all that, the sheer logistics of setting up a region in North Wales would be quite something, involving moving a whole playing squad and staff up north plus coaches, administrative and office staff and groundsmen.
It’s not exactly a rugby area, either, so I’m not sure of the wisdom of such an idea. But the Union appear keen.
The consequence would be at least one team being sacrificed, and if that is the case many believe it should be the Dragons, rather than the Ospreys.
Given that the Dragons have consistently been the worst performing region and only last Saturday suffered a humiliating 50-point reverse against Benetton, it’s a view that holds a certain logic.
But the decisions on the future make-up of the regions will not be based solely on performance. Commercial possibilities will come into it, and here the Dragons score more heavily.
For though the WRU now own them, there are big plans to develop the top end of Rodney Parade with a hotel, restaurant and offices – all buildings which could be constructed there over the next five years.
The WRU, having taken them over, are hardly likely to want it to fail so are likely to continue backing them. And Gwent also has more clubs in their area than any other in Wales.
But all remains up in the air and everyone involved is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the talks. The only thing certain is more upheaval.
