Threatened with bankruptcy, the capital of the capital was saved by the Wales Federation. But this does not testify to the good health of Welsh rugby.
Cardiff Rugby has changed owners. The franchise of the Welsh capital was placed in receivership and was taken up by the Welsh Federation (WRU) to allow it to finish the season in URC and a priori to leave for next season. “”It appeared clearly that the owner, Helford Capital, was no longer able to finance the team as she was contractually forced to do, “ said the WRU in a press release. She added that the situation of coaches and players would not change and even that the subscriptions sold for this season and for the next one would be honored. “”It was unthinkable for us to allow professional rugby to disappear in the Welsh capital “, said Abi Tierney, executive director of the Federation.
What a slump!
This event is obviously part of the slump through Welsh rugby, the national team of which has harvested Two consecutive wooden spooners in the 6 nations tournament and whose professional provinces hardly shine on the domestic scene (URC) and on the European scene. None was able to qualify for the semi-finals of champions or Cup challenge.
-Unlike the Scottish or Irish provinces, the Welsh provinces were not at the start of the federal entities. They were at least partly controlled by private investors. But in twenty years of existence, they have had trouble finding their place both in sport and financially. They did not bring many trophies back and hardly filled the stadiums even if Cardiff won two European challenges in 2010 and 2018 with in its ranks Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, we forget.
Cardiff Rugby (ex-Cardiff Blues) was therefore threatened with disappearance before the intervention of the Federation which, however, did not make a mysteries of its desire to “return” the blues to the private sector as soon as possible via new investors. We know that the acquisition cost 780,000 pounds at the WRU, 480,000 in cash, and 300,000 via a loan. The men of the capital are currently eighth in URCstill in the race for the quarterfinals. They were eliminated in the eighth final challenge by the Connacht. Their coach Matt Sherratt was appointed acting coach of the national team in the middle of a tournament after the dismissal of Warren Gatland. Cardiff Rugby still houses a few known names like Taulupe Falestau, Josh Adams plus a series of young people trained on site.
Note that in parallel the WRU is in negotiation with professional deductibles to sign a new overall agreement at the level in particular of the remuneration and the provision of internationals.
