A detailed analysis of Welsh Rugby
With Six Nations starting on 4th February i.e. next week, Wales must accomplish something where the nation’s club have been struggling and unite the population. There is a huge party planned for the final weekend of May in Cardiff, but the sad part is that
the hosts will be there only to give out awards and presents to others.
There is not even a single Welsh club in the last eight of both Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup. It is a very disquieting affair for the Principality, as it defines the shape for a significant year, starting with the stopover of England on 4th February.
The expressive default approach in Wales has often had a propensity to be dark and murk. Even this time after the results of Amlin Cup and Heineken Cup, it was pretty hard to think or else. Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons and Ospreys, all
of them failed to make it to the quarter finals of either tournament.
It’s disheartening and unfortunate for the Welsh audience, as both the finals of the respective tournaments will be played in Cardiff on the same weekend, but none of the Welsh clubs will be there. Organizers seem concerned about this festival of rugby on
20th and 21st May this year, as the lack of local interest is visible and alarming.
It’s not too witty to call Europe to your home and then lock yourself out. Melancholy in the course of the glee of others is a reverse torture. Well in general perspective English clubs have deserved these victories after a constant struggle and hard work
in their domestic rugby culture and policies. English clubs will be facing the rich French clubs and their relative downfall, which is not worse than the long term underachievement of the Welsh league rugby.
None of the Welsh club has won a Heineken Cup for over a decade and the last time they won in 1995 also seems to be a myth now. This is the horrible third time in last seven seasons that none of the Welsh side made it to the last eight. It’s substandard
and to a very low extent bad luck too.
After harsh wrangling, regional rugby was brought up in 2003. The traditional township based Welsh rugby was taken apart. Many people review this act as the unhealthiest step towards Welsh rugby. A mutual feeling was shared among the rugby lovers that, as
if umbilical cord was ripped apart, compassion was dislodged and some of the core and substance went astray. And the world witnessed a team juiced out from Swansea and Neath not performing in Europe with the same brutal sense of responsibility. Ospreys, which
compromises of enough stars to battle any club, couldn’t hold up against Munster this season. The difference was felt as Munster was a band of brothers playing for their people and true fans, whereas Ospreys was just a mere team.
This situation undisputedly proves that no matter how much science or modern policies you bring in the trained rugby, dedication, nationalism and heart and soul still matter when you get on the field with all the skills.
Hitherto, it is not the complete picture and just like any developing assumption, it does have a flip side to it. Scarlets are reviving through their youth and the Newport Gwent Dragons are impecunious country cousins of Welsh rugby set up. We can assume
as the situation in reference to economy, where there is no explosion but too much bust.
Keeping aside the European Cup, Ospreys happen to be the Magners League champion and Cardiff Blues became the Amlin Challenge cup finalist after thrashing Toulon last year. Welsh sides have also been making few significant victories in Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Peculiarly, the top fifteen players form Wales will stand up against England on 4th February. The situation is different from last time, as England has recovered few of its players like Courtney Lawes, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton. Welsh rugby needs a boost
at this time of year, where Rugby World Cup is in the line and the Welsh Football teams are scoring high in their respective Championships.
Welsh rugby teams are in despondency and one game might change the whole year and even the league rugby for Wales. Millennium stadium is waiting impatiently for the fallen to rise and the fighters to clash on 4th February 2011.
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