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BreakingNews.ie
8 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Welsh Rugby Union defends plans to halve number of professional men's teams
The Welsh Rugby Union has recognised the 'hurt and anger' caused by their proposal to reduce the number of professional men's sides in Wales from four to two, but insisted maintaining the status quo is not the 'right thing' to do. Welsh rugby's governing body has produced a radical plan to turn around the the game at both club and international level, outlining its ambitions in a 90-page consultation document entitled 'The Future of Elite Rugby in Wales'. Advertisement There will be a six-week consultation period before the WRU makes a final decision on the plans, and WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has urged people to 'improve on the proposals' and provide 'something fit for purpose for Welsh rugby'. The Welsh Rugby Union produced a radical plan to turn around the the game at both club and international level. Photo: David Davies/PA. The WRU's proposal to halve its number of four men's professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – to two will be the biggest talking point in a document which outlined four potential models for the game in Wales. It remains unclear whether the two future sides being proposed will be new entities or existing teams, but the two organisations will each have a men's and women's team. Tierney said: 'This is a momentous day for Welsh rugby. No decisions have been made, but we feel based on the analysis this is the strongest (option) yet. Advertisement 'I know how emotional rugby is in Wales and people will be hurting today, when they think what it could mean potentially for them and their their team. 'I recognise the hurt and anger people are going to be feeling. Change is hard and this is hard for fans. 'But fans' numbers drop has also not been a great experience for anybody, and we want to create an experience they can be proud of. 'What we were doing and keeping doing for fans was not the right thing. I would encourage everybody to imagine how exciting it could be and take that step into the future.' Advertisement The WRU proposal comes amid Ospreys plans to move into a redeveloped stadium at St Helen's in Swansea for the 2026-27 season and the Scarlets having recently unveiled new investors. Ospreys and Scarlets are two of the teams whose future is unclear. Photo: Nick Potts/PA. Dragons said this week elite professional rugby must continue in Gwent, while Cardiff are currently owned by the WRU having gone into administration in April. It is possible the WRU will face legal action from regions that could essentially be put out of business, with WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood saying 'two or three areas of potential legal challenge' exist. The WRU has also proposed the creation of a national campus at a site yet to be decided, which would be the home of the men's and women's professional teams, as well as Wales' national sides and the union's academy. Advertisement WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said she recognises 'the hurt and anger people are going to be feeling' Photo: David Davies/PA. Players were briefed on the WRU's plan on Tuesday and Dave Reddin, the new director of rugby and elite performance, is confident suggestions of possible player strike action will not materialise. Reddin said: 'The national campus would be a radical departure and doing something different, a defensive moat for Welsh rugby and creating a competitive advantage. 'We've got to look outside the box if we want to try and do things differently. 'Be brave enough to to lead sometimes and do things that no one else is doing. Do things things that people think are a bit nutty, too different or too uncomfortable.' Advertisement
North Wales Chronicle
10 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Arsenal's Leah Williamson to miss start of WSL season with knee injury
Arsenal defender Williamson sustained the problem in England's triumph over Spain in last month's European Championship final. It is understood the 28-year-old reported back to Arsenal with swelling in her right knee and subsequently missed the club's pre-season tour of Germany. Tests indicated she required a procedure to clean up the issue which took place last week. The procedure was a success, and Williamson has already begun her rehabilitation. However, it is expected that she will be out for several weeks. Arsenal, last season's Champions League winners, open their WSL campaign against London City Lionesses on September 6. Williamson returned from a nine-month lay-off in January last year after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee. Her latest problem is not believed to be directly linked. Williamson skippered England to back-to-back Euro triumphs after club team-mate Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot-kick in a penalty shootout triumph over Spain on July 27.
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arne Slot makes Liverpool transfer declaration amid Alexander Isak speculation
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has refused to be drawn on the club's position regarding Alexander Isak. But he has reiterated the club will only sign the right player for the right fee if they want to join. Since a £110million bid for Isak was rejected earlier this month, the club have not returned to negotiations although they have never formally walked away from pursuing a deal. Isak's decision to go public on Tuesday, accusing Newcastle of breaking promises and saying he 'can't continue' and 'change is in the best interests of everyone', has intensified speculation about the striker's future. Newcastle's response was to say: 'We have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.' It adds extra spice for when the two teams meet at St James' Park on Monday, with Isak expected to absent again as he continues to train away from the squad. 'I am happy with the squad but if we think there is a player who can really make us better then this club has always shown they can bring them in,' said Slot, who has already benefited from a £300million-plus spending spree this summer, offset by more than £200m of sales. 'But it needs to be everything we want: right transfer fee, right position and the player wants to come to us. 'I don't think (it will be a busy end to the window) because (that would mean) I would be unhappy with the squad and I am happy with the squad. 'I say two players for each positions is ideal, but sometimes less is more so you are not disappointing players.' Slot rejected the suggestion their trip to the north east would be made easier by Isak's absence and the turmoil surrounding the club. 'I don't think they are a club with troubles,' he added. 'I assume Isak is not playin but they still have Anthony Gordon as a nine, they have Anthony Elanga as a right winger and Harvey Barnes from the left – and Jacob Murphy is not even playing. 'This is the Premier League, we all have a lot of options and Newcastle have them as well.' However, Slot's options have been reduced at right-back with new signing Jeremie Frimpong ruled out until after next month's international break with a hamstring injury sustained in their opening victory over Bournemouth. 'The medical team were completely right about Jeremie to tell me that I had to take him off because he is out until the end of the international break and that happened during the game,' he said. 'I think I got criticised a bit for taking him off, didn't I?' Joe Gomez was pressed into action for 18 minutes despite having had just two training sessions after three weeks out with injury and as a result was not able to train three days in a row afterwards. He could still be in contention at Newcastle, with Conor Bradley, named in Northern Ireland's squad for next month's games, only returning to training himself on Thursday. 'At the moment we only have two injuries, but unfortunately it is two in the same position,' said Slot. 'The good thing is we have other players that can play there. Wataru Endo played there for a few minutes, Dominik Szoboszlai has already played there. There are other options we can explore.'
