Cymru am ptfhhh

 

An interesting article from the BBC prompted an enquiry as to is the state of Welsh Rugby & even the state of Wales (Chapeau Dr Bob)

Bob: - 

Possibly a metaphor for the state of Wales?

myself: - 

Did Welsh Rugby lose it's soul when the regions were created? Swansea & Neath never worked for either club. The Bridgend /Valleys club soon died. I can't even remember their name.

As to being a metaphor for Wales in general, perhaps the evisceration of the valleys coal, steel, & iron may have been the start of that under Thatcher. Slate for the North way before. There is certainly feck all in the valleys now, and a pitiful tourist industry & second homes down West. 

The optimism is still there in places, eg the rise of Plaid, and the tiring of Labour. 

Oh, and Aluminium.

Bob: - 

Plaid is a dysfunctional blind alley – you only have to look to Scotland – further divisionalism and factionalism

As to the first point – don’t know – I wasn’t there – it may presage a global issue with Rugby living beyond it’s means – there is some evidence that the Bath experience is atypical

I’m not certain the Game does itself many favours

Myself: - 

We have to reset Rugby, accept that we have fallen to #12 in the world rankings, and rebuild. Perhaps even go to 2 regions, & play in the English Premiership. The URC has not worked for Wales. I think the finances of the WRU are misdirected at the moment & need sorting, - surely we can finance 2 top tier teams? 

As for our nation, Plaid is only a means to independence. Without freedom from the yoke of Westminster, Wales will never thrive. Welsh Labour has been toothless for the last 50 years, trying to get by on the table scraps thrown by the South Eastern centric Tories, and Westminster Labour. Faux devolution of 'Scotland lite' was never any use. I think it's time to see how Wales fares for itself, and even including joining the EU. Perhaps then Wales will get it's 'calon' back. 

p.s. the original 5 regions:-