posted Dec 21, 2006

London Welsh are just not good enough to play in the Magners League. Consider how many bigger clubs in Wlaes have coalesced, whereas in Ireland club sides don't even get a look in with provincial teams representing the nation.

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posted Dec 21, 2006

"Don't underestimate the importance of being based in London - there are lots of expats there and they would potentially have the biggest regular following of any of the Welsh regions." - couldn't agree more.

If London Welsh are able to finance themselves initially and attract a good enough squad to compete whilst they find their feet then it is good idea. The motivation for the move is irrelevant.

My only concern comes from thinking about the impact this will have on the playing strength of the other regions. I'm not convinced that there are a sufficient number of quality Welsh-qualified players to staff five regions. Would adding a fifth 'region' prove a further drain on the pool of quality players and reduce the chance of any Welsh side achieving sucess in the Celtic League or Heineken Cup - thoughts anyone?

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posted Dec 21, 2006

Would be a fantastic thing for Welsh Rugby if this goes ahead. All that would need to happen then is for one of the Cardiff or Newport teams to be moved to North Wales to have a truely Regional setup that will put Wales at the top of World Rugby.

London Welsh would work on so many levels in the Celtic League.

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posted Dec 21, 2006

As an ex London Welsh supporter now back in the land of her fathers, I can only agree. London Welsh is a fantastic club and I think their inclusion in the league can only enhance it. I hope this proposal is given serious consideration by the WRU.

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posted Dec 21, 2006

i think this is a REALLY bad idea. just look at what has happend to the celtic warriors, and now the scarlets (is it £2million they're in debt ?) do london welsh actually think they'd get money from the wru after 2 years of being self supporting, when a team like llanelli is in the financial state it is ? simply, no, the wru will just turn it's nose up at them

and anyway, when the celtic league was originally formed, having a cornish and/or breton team added to it was mentioned.

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posted Dec 21, 2006

Surely any games in England have to be played under the auspices of the RFU - have they been asked for their opinion? This is the equivalent of Gloucester playing at the Arms Park - nice idea but I don't think it's a runner. Furthermore it's disingenuous for LW to think that a potential closed shop in the Guinness Premiership is a dampener on their ambitions and this looks like a diversion to stop members' complaints about their poor form and lack of ambition.

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posted Dec 21, 2006

Not being Welsh or a London Welsh supporter...I will still miss going down the Welsh to watch rugby if it moves...how many teams play in the shadow of a pagoda...and the noise made by the fans can be heard across the thames...still hopefully the Welsh would keep their base and archery targets at old deer park.
For the club to consider moving..it must feel that they with sponsorship and new recruits could challange in the Celtic league...I live 5 mins from Brentford FC...and would certainly go and watch...plus there is a very good..tucked away rugby pub nearby called The Nelson...which always shows big screen games on saturday afternoons and has good food and many rugby doyens. ensconced.

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posted Dec 22, 2006

The big thing that nobody seems to be thinking about is the number of Irish and Scottish people living in London. This could become the only Magners League team were you get large number of supporters from Wales and Ireland\Scotlad (depending on who they are playing). Plus any irish or scottish player living in london would presumably be mad keen to play to this new team as they would get exposure to the Irish and Scottish selectors watching magners league matches. So they wouldn't have to be all welsh players!

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posted Dec 29, 2006

A welcome move. Magners matches in London would be a magnet for Celtic exiles. The WRU is financially very much stronger than when they couldn't support a 5th region.

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posted Jan 1, 2007

A good move but not really possible, would need massive funding from the WRU which I don't think they have or want to spend.

A north welsh region is needed first

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