Monday's News Round Up


13/01/2003

By Paul
January 13 2003

According to sources at the Arms Park, Cardiff are close to tying up a merger with Ponty. The French and English club's are willing to reject any moves by the Union to enter provincial sides into Europe. In playing matters Steve Hansen has been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the six nations.

Cardiff & Ponty Merger Moves closer

PontyRFC.da.ru's campaign to save the Valley's club's individual status could be in vain, as a deal between the clubs could be signed as early as Tuesday. Talks between the clubs have been going on over the last few day's, including a meeting with David Moffett on Friday.

The likely hood of the deal would see a combined side based at the Arms Park. Only 40% of Cardiff's squad would be retained, with the majority of those being backs.

With three places out of the union's four team plan taken, it leaves Llanelli and Swansea to sort out their differences. The Turks insistence to stand alone, and Swansea's willingness to cure their financial problems could see the solution of the All Whites joining Neath & Bridgend in a three way combination, with the Scarlets out on their own.

 

French & English Clubs To Reject Provinces

The union's original plan to enter four provinces into the Heineken cup, would be rejected according to Former French international and now president of the French National league, Serge Blanco.

"The French clubs don't like the idea of Wales entering provinces into the Heineken Cup," said Blanco.

"Under the terms of the Paris Accord - which was signed by all countries who play in the Heineken Cup - it is clear that any change would have to be put to the vote at the European Rugby Cup board."

"The terms of the Paris Accord mean it will take a unanimous vote to allow a country to change from clubs to provinces," he said.

The English club's version of Blanco, Howard Thomas had a similar view;

"It is fundamental to our association as a group of clubs to protect the Welsh clubs," he said.

"As part of the ERC agreement, Premier Rugby in England and the League De Nationale in France, the Welsh clubs have to agree to any changes. To do that, every party has to agree unanimously to any possible changes. One part of that is that the Welsh clubs have to agree to any proposed changes.

"I would think it would be unlikely that they would want to kill themselves off. I know the Welsh clubs are drawing up their own proposals and we would support those.

"If you started with a blank sheet of paper, the one good thing about Welsh rugby is the Welsh club game. It would be a tragedy if Welsh clubs were just allowed to vanish."

The truth is that English clubs are fearful that if We go down the provincial route, it may re-awaken the calls from certain quarters, for England to adopt a similar system.

But Blanco and Thomas's words of warning are most likely to be irrelevant, with club endorsed mergers being the likely outcome. If the mergers are considered club's, there's little the Anglo-French axis could do.

 

Parker to Miss Start of The Six Nations

Steve Hansen was dealt a big blow on Saturday, with the news that Sonny will miss the away trip to Rome and then when we host England at the Millennium stadium a week later. A broken forearm, caused by a collision with hooker Mefin Davies, will see the outside centre who played inside in all the Autumn internationals out for the next 4-6 weeks.

The vacancy left by Parker, may see Iestyn Harris at 12, but Leigh Davies and Gareth Thomas will be strong contenders.

Parker will miss Saturday's second leg clash with Connacht, along with fellow centre Jon Bryant, who picked up a hamstring strain also.

 

There's a new poll up on the front page on whether You would support the merged side that included the club You support.

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