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Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Gordon D'Arcy: Ditching Sevens is sad but sensible if it means IRFU will fix the system
There is always a temptation to look at rugby through the prism of my own experiences. In those circumstances, I have to stop myself from holding the past up on a pedestal as if it was some sort of golden age that had all the answers to any modern ills in the sport. Having said that, there are times when a comparison helps to clarify how I feel about something. I have been reflecting on the current state of professional rugby and how I view it. For me, rugby used to be a game built on momentum, shifting sands, sudden breaks and a chance of the unexpected – a virtuoso moment to change everything. Lately, it feels more predictable, less exciting. I'm always conscious of sounding like some old curmudgeon who thinks that things were better back in the day. Maybe my feelings are governed a little by not being involved in the maelstrom of playing. Heavily prescribed rugby is not my cup of tea and that's probably why Sevens, in small doses, captivates my interest. There's always a spark, a moment of supreme athleticism, a stunning burst of acceleration or mesmerising footwork, or a great lung-bursting cover tackle that quickens the pulse. READ MORE Sevens rugby has always offered that spark, a space where raw, often overlooked talent could break through. The IRFU's recent decision to disband the men's elite programme has shut down a rugby pathway, one that was less travelled. Financially, the move is understandable as rugby globally is under pressure from unsustainable revenue models. England's Premiership has presided over the demise of clubs such as London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors. The United Rugby Championship is attempting to juggle ballooning travel costs and modest money on offer for TV rights. Even the wealthiest unions are feeling the strain. Ireland is certainly not immune. This week, as the Champions Cup final draws near, the focus has shifted, unexpectedly, to the IRFU 's decision to cull the men's Sevens programme. Ireland's Aoife Wafer was the Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Although that choice may feel like a step backwards, it is a pragmatic and ultimately necessary one in today's economic climate. Against this deteriorating financial backdrop, Ireland has chosen sustainability over sentiment. The Sevens programmes, while valuable, lacked the depth of infrastructure and pathways needed for consistent long-term success. That's not a reflection on the players, who have achieved a great deal over the last decade, but rather on the structure of Irish rugby itself. [ Owen Doyle: Leaving an arguable try scoring decision totally in the TMO's hands does not stack up Opens in new window ] [ 'The end is nigh for real supporters': Readers react to Ireland's Six Nations fixture list Opens in new window ] For years, the professional game has been prioritised at the expense of the grassroots. That imbalance is beginning to show. A clear example is the women's game, which is chronically underfunded at club and schools level, which produces just enough elite players to compete internationally. Standouts such as Amee-Leigh Costigan, Stacey Flood, Erin King, Béibhinn Parsons and newly crowned Six Nations Player of the Championship, Ireland number eight Aoife Wafer, are succeeding despite the system, not because of it. The private school system, funded and managed independently, has done the heavy lifting There is logic in retaining the women's Sevens programme. The same players often compete in both 15s and Sevens, and in the absence of a competitive 15s domestic league, Sevens provides them with crucial high-performance exposure. The reality is that the men's 15s team is the financial engine of Irish rugby. It drives revenue, fills the Aviva Stadium and attracts sponsorship that sustains the entire system. The provinces on their own would struggle to stay afloat. With Sevens and women's rugby generating minimal income and most aspects of the professional game running at a loss, the decision to double down on the men's 15s game makes hard economic sense. But at this moment, it also exposes the flaws in our system. For the first time in the professional era, attention is being directed to elements below the academies. And rightly so. Academies don't produce players, they refine them. Young players who make it into the provincial hothousing structure come from the schools and/or clubs. One of those pathways (clue – it is not the clubs) is vastly better funded and carries a clear geographical bias. Blackrock's Caelan Doris offloads to Roghan McMahon during their Leinster Schools Senior Cup tie against Terenure College in 2021. Photograph: Colm O'Neill/Inpho Academies reflect the quality and volume of youth participation, as well as the standard of coaching. Neither of which have seen meaningful investment – or perhaps the right governance is a better phrase – from the IRFU in the professional era. The private school system, funded and managed independently, has done the heavy lifting. That has kept annual costs down, but it has also meant the union ceded control over player development. There's now an acknowledgment that the existing one-size-fits-all model isn't fit for purpose. The main underage pathway needs reform, urgently. This decision, while painful, could be an opportunity, an inflection point While this might be a hard pill to swallow, the IRFU has consistently demonstrated sound financial principles in overseeing the sport and been prudent in managing the money. They've spent within their means and resisted the pressure to overextend. When Covid hit, Irish rugby emerged in relatively robust health. The ongoing crises in Wales and England only highlight the prudence of the IRFU's approach. And let's not forget, outside of France, Ireland was the only Six Nations side fielding both men's and women's teams on the World Sevens Series circuit. That commitment wasn't cheap. This decision, while painful, could be an opportunity, an inflection point. If Irish rugby uses this pause to rebuild its house, particularly around the player development wing, the long-term benefits could outweigh the short-term loss. David Humphreys has said he wants to see all four provinces competing in the Champions Cup. That's ambitious. It will take time. But he is confronting the biggest problem in Irish rugby head-on. If we can fix the foundation - our 15s structures, our academies and most importantly, our grassroots - then it's possible to protect, nurture and grow the core elements of Irish rugby. This can be done, even if it means temporarily closing a door that led to a magic kingdom.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
WRU unveil new unequal funding for regions
The future structure of Welsh professional rugby is in doubt after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced its four regions will no longer be equally governing body made the announcement amid reports it intends to cut a team from its professional tier. The WRU has neither confirmed nor denied if cutting a team is part of its plans. But WRU bosses intend to implement a new two-tier funding system after serving a two-year notice on the current agreement that underpins the Welsh professional current Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) deal runs out in 2027 although it was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal that Ospreys and Scarlets have not signed. Wales' four professional regions were given a deadline to sign the new PRA by 8 May, but only WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons put pen to four sides are expected to continue to exist in their current form until at least June 2027 when the old PRA runs out, but the future of the organisations will be under is no mention in the WRU statement that they will cut a region reducing the number to three professional governing body say they have an "open mind to all constructive and realistic proposals on the way forward." "We are continuing to talk to all four clubs about what the future will hold," said WRU chief executive Abi Tierney."We recognise this will be a time of uncertainty and are committed to treating all the clubs, players, and supporters with respect and fairness throughout this process."We acknowledge the continued commitment of each club to Welsh rugby and will formulate a new plan with the best interests of the whole game in Wales at the forefront of our thinking." Why have the WRU changed course? The WRU had continually insisted maintaining four professional sides on an equal footing was at the heart of its long-term strategy that was launched in governing body say that was their preference from the outset, but the system will not return to the model "given seismic changes in the rugby landscape".The WRU now says it has taken "the difficult but necessary decision" to issue the formal two-year notice to terminate the current PRA agreement, in particular, to proceed with its debt refinancing with its bank, say it was not a decision that was taken lightly, however "given the WRU's duties to the game in Wales as a whole, the broader performance, financial and strategic needs of the game must take precedence"."When I announced the headline strategy back in July 2024, I said one thing is for certain, given the challenges facing rugby in Wales and globally, there will be times when we need to adjust our course," said Tierney."We must seize this opportunity. Our continued aim is to build a resilient and world-class structure that will support Welsh rugby's next generation and beyond."The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) is the organisation set up to represent the four professional sides and the WRU. "The next phase of consultation, as always, will be conducted with the best interests of the whole of Welsh rugby at its heart," said PRB chair Malcolm Wall, who is also a WRU board member. How did we get here? The WRU and regions have been trying to get the new PRA over the line after months of deal included increased and fixed funding rising up to £6.5m in the next few years - compared to the current £4.5m - from next season. When the WRU took over Cardiff as it went into administration in April, the governing body absorbed around £9m of the capital city team's debts and spent £780,00 in fees in the is understood that having signed the new deal, Cardiff and Dragons will receive the new figures while Ospreys and Scarlets will have the old funding.A glimmer of hope was offered in February when the PRA had been agreed in principle, with all parties ready to sign at the beginning of process was derailed when Cardiff went into temporary administration and was taken over by the and Ospreys had said they would not sign until they had further clarity from the WRU, with the two west Wales sides stating they wanted some "key issues" resolved after Cardiff's with Scarlets and Ospreys waiting on a response, the WRU had an option to serve a two-year notice on their current PRA agreed to this drastic measure at a WRU board meeting last week before formally telling Ospreys and Scarlets of this intention and their decision not to have four equally funded businesses. What happens now? In the WRU announcement there is no official direct mention of cutting a region and reducing to three professional sides, but all supporters, players and coaches will be concerned about the latest crisis to hit Welsh WRU have a contractual commitment to provide four sides for the URC and European commitments and will face financial penalties of around £5m if that is not chief executive Tierney even used this as one of the reasons for the Cardiff takeover by stating it was more financially prudent to maintain four professional and Scarlets are meeting to consider their response and are understood to have sought legal advice. They are also expected to respond in the coming have welcomed the WRU announcement saying they are delighted to have signed a deal which "provides the club with three years of agreed fixed funding".A Dragons statement read: "We did so to demonstrate our commitment to provide stability and security to Dragons RFC as we continue to develop on and off the field."As demonstrated by signing the agreement, our owners are committed to the long-term future of professional rugby and the financial stability of Dragons RFC."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kvesic named as first signing in Worcester rebuild
Worcester Warriors have made club legend Matt Kvesic the first signing of their new era as they prepare for a return to professional rugby in the Championship next 33-year-old played for Warriors for four years between 2009-13 before stints with Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs. He returned to the club in 2020 and made more than 100 appearances before they went into who has four England caps, said he was delighted to be rejoining Warriors for the club's rebuild, calling the decision a "no brainer"."I'm exceptionally excited to be back at a club which means so much to me, the place that gave me an opportunity as a 16 or 17-year-old," he told the club website, external. The Warriors have been granted permission to rejoin the professional ranks in the second tier after new owners took control of the club last year following their suspension in September 2022 over funding issues that led to now 24 hours after announcing Matt Everard as their new head coach in the expanded 14-team Championship next season, the club announced Kvesic as their their first signing."It was a no brainer to be part of what [the club] are building and I am here to support them on and off the field. I know there's a huge desire for professional rugby to be back in the city," Kvesic said."I want to be a part of their journey back to top flight rugby, albeit slightly older and hopefully wiser."Worcester said Kvesic would be the first of "several major player signings" as part of the club's new said he was "delighted" with the capture of Kvesic.''Matt is a massive part of Worcester Warriors, and Worcester Warriors is a massive part of Matt. He is someone who knows and cares about the club, the city, and the fans. "But not only that, he is a top-quality player who has been in environments that have won big competitions and big games. He knows what it takes to win," he leaving Worcester in 2022 Kvesic signed for Italian side Zebre and played there for one season, followed by two seasons with Coventry in the Championship.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ex-captain Addison to leave Sale this summer
Former captain Will Addison is set to leave Sale Sharks at the end of this 32, made his Sale debut in 2010 and was made skipper ahead of the 2017-18 joined Ulster a year later where he would spend six years and won five Ireland caps in that Cumbria-born centre returned to Sale last summer and has played 11 games this season, scoring two tries."This club gave me the opportunity to become a professional rugby player and change my life," he told the club's website, external."I really transformed from boy to man while being part of this incredible club."
The Guardian
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Cadan Murley gives Quins a summer buzz to shatter Gloucester's playoff dream
Harlequins went down by 40 points in the last round at Welford Road, barely playing a shot. So it was inevitable they would burst into this one in front of a big house at the big stadium across the road for their now traditional 'Big Summer Kick-Off' game. Likewise, Gloucester played the rugby of the gods last time out, one shy of 80 points against Exeter, so it stood to reason they would flop painfully here. And, boy, did they. These vagaries should not happen to any professional outfit, of course, but the fact is they do, time and time again, particularly when the sides in question are, shall we say, of a flaky temperament. These two are nothing if not that. All the same, the abject state of Gloucester's defence exasperated, given what was at stake for them. Quins may have had their big game to get up for, but Gloucester started the match a mere three points off the top four. There is barely any margin for error now for those still in the running. Did no one tell them? This defeat now all but condemns the rest of their season, but for indulgence in the most forlorn of mathematical speculations. Quins' season more or less ended with that thrashing at Leicester a fortnight ago, but this was the erstwhile purveyors of all things attacking back to something like their better form. Not that they had to be that great, so accommodating were the visitors. Quins' six tries were racked up with unseemly ease, their wingers weighing in with a hat-trick, for Cadan Murley, and a brace, for Rodrigo Isgro, apiece. The admirable Will Evans, burrowing away at seemingly every tackle situation, also scored, at the back of a lineout-and-drive. But that was the least of their deserts. Three other tries were chalked off in the first half alone, one of them when Tyrone Green dropped the ball as he went to touch down behind the posts, having stepped his way through weak tackle after weak tackle. Of positive news for Lions fans, and coaches, Marcus Smith was back in the saddle and looking masterful, having limped off in some pain a fortnight ago. His inside ball was instrumental to Murley's first try, to set Quins on their way in the ninth minute, and his tactical kicking was searching and imaginative. Opposite him, his fellow Lions half-back Tomos Williams was quiet by his normal standards – but then those are abnormally vibrant. Saracens feeling Goode in Newcastle demolition Saracens kept alive their hopes of claiming a playoff spot and celebrated Alex Goode's 400th appearance for the club by crushing bottom-placed Newcastle 75-28 at the Allianz Stadium. Newcastle stunned Saracens back in November with a 17-12 win at Kingston Park but a fully loaded Saracens, with their three newly selected Lions in the starting lineup, exacted full revenge. However, that surprise defeat to the Falcons could still prove costly as the London club may still have to beat both Bath and Northampton in their remaining fixtures to guarantee a playoff spot. Sarries' head coach, Joe Shaw, said: 'All we can do now is control our own performances. We got what we wanted from today but we will need to reset and put in a performance away at Northampton next week." Saracens ran in 11 tries, with Juan Martín González scoring a hat-trick, Ben Earl adding two and Theo Dan, Ivan van Zyl, Maro Itoje, Charlie Bracken, Tom Willis and Jamie George scoring the others. Fergus Burke kicked seven conversion and Louie Johnson three. Sam Stuart scored two tries for Newcastle with Freddie Lockwood and Ben Stevenson also on the scoresheet to earn a bonus point. Brett Connon converted all four tries. Newcastle's interim director of rugby, Steve Diamond, said his side's mauling showed how much investment was needed at the club. He said: 'The difference between the two clubs today was enormous and it showed we need investment in all structures. We've got a hard-working set of lads but we were well beaten in all areas and the final deficit is embarrassing. We managed to get a try bonus point which was our aim at half-time but that was the only positive." PA Media Christian Wade racked up his 91st Premiership try to bring Gloucester back to 21-7 with a few minutes of the first half remaining, but Murley's second, sprung by Smith, left the Quins 28-7 up at the break. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Gloucester simply had to erupt into the second half, which they sort of did for a few minutes. Then Murley scored his hat-trick try, and that was that. Isgro burst onto Smith's pass, straight from a scrum, and Green was on hand to put his mate over in the corner. A couple of yellow cards later, one for each of the No 8s, Alex Dombrandt and Ruan Ackermann, and Isgro went over for his second to end any hope for the visitors. Gloucester's two tries in the final quarter, by Santiago Carreras and the youngster Jack Cotgreave, lent them some consolation, but the lack of even a bonus point leaves them those three points adrift in sixth. Not quite out of it maybe, but let's just say they will need to bounce back – and then some.
