By Andrew Collins
January 23 2006

Despite the national game being at an incredible high this year, once again the domestic game brings fans back down to Earth. The Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, N-G Dragons and the Scarlets all failed to qualify, for the 2nd successive year, so where does it leave us?

All 4 regions occupied 3rd spot in their group, but who was to blame for this 2nd successive barren year, and what can be done to turn it around in time for next years campaign? 

N-G Dragons
Were never expected to qualify, but then again why not? Munster are a great side and will go far, and Sale too very good, but we can't make excuses like that. Instead of conceding to better sides, we've got to invest in better players. The Dragons have a very capable squad, albeit small, and would've liked to beat Sale at home. Realistically it was always going to be tough, but they're not going to get better by magic.

Cardiff Blues
Where the heck do you start? Dai must go, as much as he tries, it's just not working for him. Cardiff were top of this group 2 weeks ago, and ended up 8 points adrift from Perpignan. Some would've expected Perpignan to top the group, but to finish 3rd is an absolute disgrace. That Leeds match will not be forgotten any time soon, and the players have as much to answer for as Young and the coaches. Next year, they need to have a big shake up and install a new coach.

The Ospreys
After the year they had, being drawn with 2 French sides seemed very harsh. In a better group, the O's could've excelled and be in that top 8. Very unfortunate with the draw and injuries. Having said that, Lyn Jones hasn't taken the next step the region desperately needed and they remain just a good Celtic League side rather than a top 8 team.

Llanelli Scarlets
Llanelli battled well and played some beautiful rugby. They looked sharp and up for every game. That Toulouse game was fantastic to watch, and it was great to see the Welsh take it too the Champs and show off a few of their weaknesses. Some of the games they lost just lacked a world class No.10, and in Steven Jones, they have that for next season. Will be desperate to qualify next year, and are realistically Wales' best hope.

What effect will this have on Ruddock's 6 Nations squad is hard to tell. A lot of those Blues boys will be going into the Welsh squad very low on confidence and may struggle to produce much, and only the Scarlets lot seem to be on any sort of form.

Matthew J. has been a shinning light this year, and what a time for him to find form, just as we're searching for a great centre, he walks through the Toulouse backline and looks like a man who can fill Henson/Shanklin's boots.

On the reverse, Rhys Thomas has had a disastrous few games, and his performance against Leeds will have other national coach’s pin-pointing him as a weakness.

Having said that, Ruddock is a motivator and getting players up is what he does best.

But back to the domestic game. What can our squads do to compete for QF spots, and one day win the tournament? Lower the foreign player allowance and have an influx of French and Southern Hemisphere players is one option, but it goes against 'regionalisation' and doesn't help the national game one bit. Another is to drop to just 3 regions as Scotland have, but how many more alienated fans can the game withstand?

The debate will commence I'm sure, but at the end of the day, Wales once again have no team in the final 8, but a Grand Slam defense is just about to begin.