Lewis Misses a Golden Chance

By Paul
April 10 2006

STEVE LEWIS would rather be on holiday than secure a sponsor for the Celtic League, you have to wonder whether or not the WRU really give a damn about the bread and butter of professional rugby in Wales.

It is fair enough that Scottish rugby chairman Allan Munro is absent in recovery of a stroke, but for Lewis to be "overseas" sends out a very puzzled picture, that is unless of course he is busy trying to persuade a big name coach from the Southern Hemisphere, just to annoy a certain Scarlets coach.

Anyway there was supposed to be meeting attended by all Celtic countries to ratify a four year contract with Magners, but considering it's taken five years for us to get to this stage you feel they don't mind drawing out the wait even further. This coming from the same WRU who told their Celtic cousins they were simply too "busy" to contribute to talks based on stabilising the future of the tournament. Lewis most probably won't be busy in a month or two, such is popularity throughout Wales, or more importantly amongst the clubs.

“We are getting a bit annoyed with them,” Gordon McKie, the chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union, said. “They say they have been ‘very busy’, they have not been able to round to it.

"They have some issues and we understand they are consulting with their legal advisors but it is taking forever and we are looking for a bit of urgency. Broadcasters and sponsors, as well as players and supporters, all need to be told what is happening.”

But then again the delusion of playing across the border may still linger in the boardroom, especially thanks to Llanelli's Powergen progression.

GARETH JENKINS was wanted out of Stradey Park this time last year. Remember the farce at home to Glasgow? Few people seem to, but Gyppo was long overdue his progression into nationhood.

Had it not been for old WRU committee he should have replaced Kevin Bowring, not Graham Henry. Pro WRU men do well, Ruddock was one once. Now we need a renegade to stamp his own authority on Wales.

CARDIFF BLUES may well be trotting out in all Blue next season, that's a victory for the regionalists. A victory for common sense is the releasing of dead weight in Quinnell and Ben Evans.

Heineken cup miseries have proved they need a fresh start down at the Arms Parks, whether or not their prospects can make the step up adequately. Solid Ben Blair or a big lock certainly wouldn't go amiss.