Wales star calls for two regions
Wales international Johnny McNicholl believes the number of Welsh regions must be halved in order for them to properly compete in the URC again.
The Crusaders full-back spent eight seasons with the Scarlets before moving back to New Zealand earlier this year. But while he tasted league glory in his first season in 2016/17, he left the region in March with Dwayne Peel’s side struggling at the bottom of the table.
The Scarlets are currently 14th out of 16 teams, one place ahead of the Dragons and two behind Cardiff Rugby. The Ospreys are the most successful Welsh side this season as they sit in 10th, but McNicholl says a reduction to two regions may need to happen if their league fortunes are to improve.
“Every year from [2017/18], the Scarlets have just sort of gone downhill since then,” he said during an appearance onthe What a Lad podcast. “We went from first and second down to fifth, sixth and I think we’re 11th now.”
Asked for the reasons for the decline, he added: “Budget is one. It’s not a surprise that the team with the highest budget normally wins the league over there. Our budget has dropped since I joined by I think half, at least. Because of that, all the middle players have gone elsewhere and they’ve only kept a couple of really good players and then there’s just the new talent that’s coming through.
“It hasn’t really worked out for them that well. They’ve probably got too many teams in Wales, I’d say they probably need to go down to about two teams because there is not enough talent for four teams to compete in the competition that they are in.
“They can compete against each other and they can compete against some of the Italian teams, but other than that, the South Africans are there now and the Irish have an unbelievable product line of players. [The Welsh teams] definitely can’t compete against the Irish teams at the minute.”
Comparing the Irish production line to Wales’, McNicholl continued: “We would play the Irish sides’ C teams [at Scarlets] and be like ‘Oh yes, that’s a third string Leinster side, we’re going to put 40 on them, we’re going to win this week’ and then they would go and put 40 on us and we’d be like ‘How the hell has that happened?’
“Then six months later you’re looking at Hugo Keenan and Caelan Doris tearing it up for Ireland and they were the boys that were in the third team six months ago. They just have an unbelievable product line.”
Owens reveals relief after calling time
Wales and Scarlets legend Ken Owens says there was “relief” when the decision was made that he would not continue playing rugby.
Owens last month called time of his illustrious career for club and country, with advice taken on medical grounds that the back injury he was struggling with would not improve.
Owens was Wales’ most capped hooker with 91 caps for his country, while he also played in five Tests for the British and Irish Lions. He won four Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, played at three World Cups and won a league title with the Scarlets – who he played for 274 times.
“No, not quite,” he said, when asked if he had had time to reflect yet.
“It was a long time coming. At the start of February I was still hoping to come back to play. But as it turned out, it wasn’t to be. It has been a very emotional period.
“But the decision was taken out of my hands and it was a slight relief when the decision was made that I couldn’t play anymore.”
He added: “I’ve been lucky enough to achieve a lot within the game and have the opportunity to play at the highest level. I look at it now and it’s unbelievable really. The Grand Slam in 2019 was special and also captaining the Scarlets against La Rochelle at Parc y Scarlets in Europe was massive as well.”
Jones hails Tiatia appointment
Former Wales skipper Ryan Jones has hailed the appointment of Filo Tiatia as the new Dragons defence coach.
The Men of Gwent announced the news yesterday to much acclaim. Jones, who played with the former All Black at the Ospreys, said on social media: “That is a fantastic appointment…..best of luck @daiflan10 @Bullsrhino8.”
“I’m excited by the challenge ahead and opportunity to return to Wales with Dragons RFC,” said Tiatia. “I’ve spent some time discussing the club’s aspirations with Dai (Flanagan).
“It’s a good time for an ambitious club to kick on and I’m looking forward to being a part of a new coaching set-up. There is undoubtedly a quality squad, full of young Gwent talent, being assembled at Dragons and I can’t wait to get started with the players this summer and help us move forward.”
Curry on comeback trail
England back-row Tom Curry has taken a significant stride forward in his return from major hip surgery and is looking in “great shape” in training, Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson has said.
The 25-year-old has not played since England’s bronze final win over Argentina at last year’s Rugby World Cup, following surgery to address arthritic change and tears to the labrum and cartilage.
But Sanderson said Curry came through his first high-intensity training session with the rest of the Sale squad this week and came out top amongst his team-mates in a number of measures, a hugely-promising sign after months of rehabilitation.
“He got through it well, he was communicating and driving standards really well,” Sanderson said. “We don’t know how he’ll get through the week
He released an emotional statement at the time and opened up on the decision on S4C’s coverage over the weekend.
“This is his first full week training but we’ll have a better idea, probably on Thursday, in terms of how his body is feeling.
“I’m surprised how well he’s moving. He topped (all the measures). I know it was only one block, but for someone who has been out as long as he has, he’s come back in great shape. His ability to back that up is what we question now.
“He moves so well, he talks so passionately, he’s a phenomenal athlete and an outstanding player. Providing his fitness is alright, he’s not far away.”