Former Welsh rugby centre, Tom Shanklin has offered his insights regarding the current state of Welsh rugby, indicating that the situation may deteriorate before showing signs of improvement. This assessment follows a disappointing weekend for the professional teams, with all four Welsh sides experiencing defeats by more than 10 points in the fifth round of URC games.
The Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff, and Dragons currently occupy positions in the bottom six of the league table, with only two rounds remaining. Throughout the season, these four teams have collectively secured a mere 17 wins in 64 league games, with only eight of these victories coming from non-Welsh teams, while the rest were achieved in Welsh derby matches.
Despite the Ospreys demonstrating the most success with eight wins, their recent performance has raised concerns, notably conceding over 60 points for the second consecutive week. Their 61-20 loss to Leinster was preceded by a 61-24 defeat against Bulls in Pretoria, leaving them trailing by eight points from the top eight play-off positions with two weekends remaining.
Consequently, the possibility of no Welsh representation in the Champions Cup for the first time next season, and a repeat absence from the URC play-offs looms over Wales. Additionally, the wage bills for the four sides have been reduced to £5.2m for this season, with further decreases expected to £4.5m for the 2024-25 campaign, resulting in reduced squad sizes.
In addressing these challenges, Shanklin has underscored the inability to compete with top teams and foresees a bleak outlook for the upcoming season. He has expressed concerns about the potential exodus of supporters from Welsh rugby if the current trend persists, stressing the importance of strong performances in European competitions to maintain fan interest.
The disappointing performance in club rugby is compounded by the national Wales teams finishing at the bottom of the Six Nations tables, with only one victory in 10 games between them, including the defeat of Warren Gatland’s men’s side in all five matches.
Looking towards the future, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney has indicated that a new Welsh rugby strategy will be unveiled by the end of June, emphasising the necessity for a clear vision and positive direction to revive the sport in Wales.
In conclusion, the challenges facing Welsh rugby are undeniable, necessitating significant changes and positive developments to regain competitiveness and reignite fan enthusiasm. The insights shared by Tom Shanklin shed light on the harsh reality, while also underscoring the urgency for a strategic and coordinated effort to propel Welsh rugby towards improvement.