A clean sweep for the regions

Well who would have predicted that? All three Welsh regions beating their French opponents in the HEC and the slightly more predictable fourth region beating their opponents as well. Some very important wins too. Good work. Also happy that Edinburgh won and hoping for a Glasgow win tomorrow!

mckay,

You beat me to it, very good weekend for the Regions (could be different next week mind with away legs and Dragons home to Perp) and the Pro12 teams in general.

Very good win for Edinburgh, Munster pipping Saints, Ulster getting win against Clermont, Leinster getting draw away, and Aironi denying Tigers a BP.

Hope Glasgow can keep it up tomorrow.

Think it's a bit insulting to dismiss the Dragons as the 4th region. Their team is coming together very nicely.

Great that all the regions won, def enjoyed a good Scarlets win against Castres.

The Blues win was very surprising. A great result over there.

I think all us regional fans need to enjoy the victories while we can, coz personally I can see us struggling in the european games in December thanks to that ridiculous international match the WRU have organised. Seriously it's really going to hurt our chances, which is so annoying when we have all played so well this weekend!

So completely chuffed that all four regions won this weekend, and with a lot of them playing really really good rugby. The regions are hugely important to Welsh rugby, I'm just really annoyed the WRU are effectively going to hamstring us in December. So irritating!

Smirnoff

Wasn't intending to dismiss the dragons, just that their opposition wasn't up to the same standard...

Yes but 16 thousand attendance between the two matches in West Wales today - terrible. And this is Heineken Cup. A Welsh region needs to win it soon o'r club rugby in Wales will die o'n it's arse.

glas, what was the scarlets attendance today? i dint hear the anounncement. cheers.

Dreamer told me 8.5k, but that was her estimate. 7.5k at the library was my dads estimate.

cheers glas, 8.5 was up a bit on our crowd v ulster, i love 3pm kick off's but a lot of supporters play west wales rugby on a sat, so cant make the games, be nice to get bigger crowds against munster and northampton though.

Thomond wrote:The Blues win was very surprising. A great result over there.

In advance of the game it was a little surprising but to watch it they looked as comfortable as any of the other regions, whilst probably having the most difficult feature, what with being away from home and all..!

rugby,

Don't you mean the money grabbing barstewards at the WRU who arranged the match.

Bedford,

Is that really how you see it?

mm,

For a lot of it yes afraid it is.

I honestly don't think they give a flying you know what about us real fans, all they are interested in is the corporate and hospitality money.

Arranging a game which is pretty pointless just aftre the WC two weeks before Xmas in the middle of a credit crunch and still charge £56 a pop for tickets.

The friday night game at home against England, they didn't give a damn about travelling fans, they got a bigger share of tv money to be used as guinea pigs. Everyone knows that for all its benefits Cardiff is a mare to get out after a game even on normal time

Considering the financial issues the WRU has had, and is now solving by doing things like this, meaning more money gets invested into rugby rather than in paying off debts...

Surely money making international matches are a good thing?

Not necessarily Maesteg, last season we had a money spinning AI test against NZ (one of 4 instead of 3 games) and North was played while carrying an injury and as a result had to have shoulder surgery in his 1st season after only playing less than 20 games (regional and international).

The players are burned out, the regions are severly effected, the fans are ripped off, especially by the extorionate ticket & drinks prices. It's good for one offs, but every season we are trying to squeeze in more and more games.

In principle yes mm, but its done with little or no consideraton at all to us fans.

I certainly can't afford a to go to the Australia game next month or more valid way of putting it I can't justiy spening £100 few weeks before Xmas.

Not many can Bedford, but that is no reason for the WRU to not host the game, where some can not others can. I am sure plenty will go.

It is not the responsibility of the WRU to only host matches when they think that the socioeconomic climate in Wales is healthy enough for a match. We would never play if that was the case.

I know I am in a fortunate position financially but many of my friends are not and do struggle to go to games. Though quite a number of them pick up a bit of work on the side to help save for such occasions. A bit of decorating or using another skill to earn a few quid out of hours, over the weekend etc...

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Not necessarily Maesteg, last season we had a money spinning AI test against NZ (one of 4 instead of 3 games) and North was played while carrying an injury and as a result had to have shoulder surgery in his 1st season after only playing less than 20 games (regional and international).

The players are burned out, the regions are severly effected, the fans are ripped off, especially by the extorionate ticket & drinks prices. It's good for one offs, but every season we are trying to squeeze in more and more games.

Most top tier nations are playing 12 games a year. That is a lot, wales are no different, it seems to be the modern way.

It is tough on the players, and I noticed that Australia's announced squad are rather depleted due to injury. But i don't disagree that this game should go ahead, I certainly don't think the WRU are doing anything wrong. I am also convinced that if Welsh regions were not involved in the HEC, that we did not have AI's the fans would be complaining of there not being enough top class rugby to go and watch.

I think Maesteg has a point Bedford unfortunately. Basically, even though a lot of fans won't be able to afford it they're banking on there being enough who can. That invariably means more corporate tickets, but if they sell say 50,000 then it will be seen as justified.

I agree that the timing is poor, mainly because it effects the regions plans in Europe, especially as they've already had a load of disruption due to the world cup. However, I also sympathise with the WRU a bit. They've got pressure to pay back their debts, they have to keep up their payments to the regions plus all the other welsh rugby costs, yet they've just essentially lost one of their biggest revenue streams in the autumn internationals series. Those 4 games probably brings in millions. With that gone where does the money come from to pay the debts, the regions, keep the grass roots going, etc. I think the WRU felt pressured into hosting this Oz game just to recoup some of the lost revenue. They've also just sent a full squad of players, coaches, masseurs, physios, doctors, analysts, etc. to NZ for 8 weeks. That would have cost millions too!

So, bad timing but money is the necessary evil that keeps the game going. They're probably down over 10 million with the loss of AIs and the cost of the world cup. This will help to balance the books a bit maybe.

Don't get me wrong guys, I love the AI series of games (though Regional matches shouldn't be played) and undertsand the finances behind it, its just I don't think there is much thought gone into the scheduling or pricing of the games.

I genuinely believe that as long as they get the corporate money thats all they are interested in, yes I know the more money the WRU get the more money for regions/grass roots etc and I know the Oz game will get a good crwod due to the WC and possibly Shanes last game but ticket pricing is bad.

I thought that the Scarlets match was excellent.

George Carlin wrote:I thought that the Scarlets match was excellent.

I saw the highlights, they scored some amazing tries (particularly Ben Morgans) but their defence seemed a bit sloppy, and their forwards looked in trouble in rolling mauls. They are really going to struggle to get a vital away win in that group.

To be fair to the Scarlets the Castres pack was huge, our bigger problems were being so sloppy - we almost gifted them a try from the kick off, we should have scored 2 more tries (one was disallowed for being foward, but didn't look it) to give us loads of breathing space and a TBP, and also kept putting pressure on ourselves. I agree that we'll struggle to get an important away win, but you never know, stranger things have happened - I really hope we can win our home games.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Think it's a bit insulting to dismiss the Dragons as the 4th region. Their team is coming together very nicely.

Great that all the regions won, def enjoyed a good Scarlets win against Castres.

Ospreys are the fourth region surely.

maestegmafia wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Not necessarily Maesteg, last season we had a money spinning AI test against NZ (one of 4 instead of 3 games) and North was played while carrying an injury and as a result had to have shoulder surgery in his 1st season after only playing less than 20 games (regional and international).

The players are burned out, the regions are severly effected, the fans are ripped off, especially by the extorionate ticket & drinks prices. It's good for one offs, but every season we are trying to squeeze in more and more games.

Most top tier nations are playing 12 games a year. That is a lot, wales are no different, it seems to be the modern way.

It is tough on the players, and I noticed that Australia's announced squad are rather depleted due to injury. But i don't disagree that this game should go ahead, I certainly don't think the WRU are doing anything wrong. I am also convinced that if Welsh regions were not involved in the HEC, that we did not have AI's the fans would be complaining of there not being enough top class rugby to go and watch.

Thats not entirely true for this one game as in the general course of a season the players wouldn't have just come back from a gruelling tournament halfway around the world straight into the toughest NH club competition and then be expected to meet up and play a highest intensity international against one of the best sides of the year before being given only a week off before preparing for the high intensity derby matches.
Other nations also aren't playing a Dec game (I know you can say England & France RFU's have more money than us) and this is a real concern for player burn out we squeeze an extra game in everywhere - in the Summer ints, a 4th in the AI's and now this Dec one, while having one of the smallest player pools and playing mostly the same side.

Also re the fans - I understand the WRU thinking if it can sell 50,000 tickets and swell it's coffers for reinvestment in the game then why not - but wouldn't it be a good idea to prolong the positive feeling from the WC and offer cheaper tickets (as it's so close to Christmas) and sell out the stadium and make almost enough money and might encourage more kids to demand Welsh tops and merchandise for xmas and generate more of a buzz around the team.

Just my thoughts anyway

I couldn't possibly disagree with you about cheaper tickets. I loved the initiative that they made for the Pre RWC warm up games.

I am not sure how ticketing and pricing works at the WRU. But I do think it is hard to say that they are some kind of evil giant ruling and thieving the hard earned coin of the average working man in Wales.

I can now confirm that this has been my best Heineken cup weekend ever with all four welsh regions winning and both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Great finish at Firhill. Glasgow are definitely going to miss Richie but what sloppy defence...

Excellent results for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scottish rugby needed that.

It has been a great set of results and makes the groups really interesting - hopefully the Blues can manage to top their group and the Scottish teams can take some more scalps and finish high up their groups.

Just checked and can't believe only 1 French team won (Toulouse vs Glouc) and only 2 English teams won (Leicester and Saracens) - good results from my PoV but still quite suprising

Five out of Five so far...!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Just checked and can't believe only 1 French team won (Toulouse vs Glouc) and only 2 English teams won (Leicester and Saracens) - good results from my PoV but still quite suprising

What about Quins?

You would expect 2/3 Welsh regions to win in the HC this weekend.

Ospreys should beat Treviso and Cardiff should beat London Irish.

That would leave another good weekend for Welsh regions.

3/4

7/8 wins after two rounds for European rugby would be brilliant for the Welsh regions.

Apologies and of course Quinns

beshocked wrote:You would expect 2/3 Welsh regions to win in the HC this weekend.

Ospreys should beat Treviso and Cardiff should beat London Irish.

That would leave another good weekend for Welsh regions.

3/4

7/8 wins after two rounds for European rugby would be brilliant for the Welsh regions.

Yes you are correct. Most Scarlets fans would say coming away from Saints with anything other than conceding a TBP would be a success. A losing BP or a draw would be great, a win wonderful and a TBP win exceptional.

As mentioned before the way that Scarlets deal with what saints can do at the set piece is a big factor, as is how Scarlets deal with a tough backrow on the floor will be difficult. Tom Wood is one of the few English players to come away from the RWC with reputation intact. He will be, as per usual, a consistent menace for the Scarlets.

Mostly because Wood wasn't played almost at all in the WC! But I do think he is one of the best English fowards currently and has massive potential - just hope he has an off game tonight...

7 out of 7


Get ready for the Ospreys to ruin that tomorrow...!

Come on Wales - awesome set of results tonight and last night!

Some great rugby so far despite the results

No pressure Ospreys

Glas a du wrote:No pressure Ospreys

Not really. The Ospreys are playing for themselves and their standing in the group. Not for the 'pride of the regions' ( in a Brian Blessed style voice) This whole celtic v jeff v everyone else v france grinds my gears...

Glas the ospreys hate pressure unfortunately. Really hope this doesn't go wrong for them against Treviso. A decent team away these days let alone at home.

Chchhhhhhchhhhgrrrchhhhchunk bruuuuuummm, bruuuuuuummm.

Hey! I've you been driving my car? Sounds like that on a good day..

Breadvan

I do agree with you that the ospreys are playing for themselves and no one else, and by god I would love to see them finally play their best rugby in the HEC...!

It is also great to see the other regions doing well. I, like I presume many others, am still not as passionate a supporter of my region as I was my local club and therefor take enjoyment out of welsh rugby as a whole doing well at regional level.