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'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin
'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • BBC News

'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin says Welsh rugby cannot continue as it is and big decisions are needed to produce a "radically different future".The WRU is considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 governing body says it is entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even WRU has finally appointed a new head coach in Steve Tandy but Reddin says that alone will not solve the ills of Welsh rugby."I think we have to say, given where we are, that we can't continue the way we've been," said Reddin. "That would be the height of madness to think that one coaching appointment is going to change the outcome."It won't. I think we need to lean into and embrace that." The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and it was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal has been agreed by WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been has led to the WRU stating it can no longer afford to fund four professional sides equally, which has led to the threat of a reduction in has only just started his new role but is involved, along with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, in plans to change the structure of the game in Wales, a process which is scheduled to finish in October."I've been getting involved in that behind the scenes prior to starting because there's no more critical thing for Welsh rugby," said Reddin."We are going to consult and it is a genuine consultation. We want to talk to people."I've got a clear view of one of the options we could have going forward but the consultation process is genuine."If we sit here and think that nobody has a better idea than us then we are done from the start."That consultation will include players, it will include clubs and will include all the key stakeholders."We need to do it in a respectful and comprehensive way so that whatever the decision ends up being, everyone feels they've had a voice in that and it's something in the future they can get behind." 'We have got to make big decisions' Having come from the Scotland system of two professional sides, new head coach Tandy will be asked for his opinion on any changes but will not be directly involved in the decision-making."Steve will be consulted about his views on the direction we take but he will not be going out and talking to the regions about the future strategic proposals," said Reddin."That's my job and Abi's job, to get out there and do that piece of work."Ultimately then we've got to make a decision taking into account all of that insight that people will bring to it."I'm sure there'll be a lot of passion and emotion that comes to it as well."Reddin says tough decisions will have to be made."Ultimately we've got to assimilate all of that information and make sure that informs the decisions we take going forwardx, as difficult as they might be," said Reddin."We've got to make some big decisions if we want a radically different future."

Andy Farrell interview: Lions will be the most important thing in world sport by a country mile
Andy Farrell interview: Lions will be the most important thing in world sport by a country mile

Telegraph

time27-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Telegraph

Andy Farrell interview: Lions will be the most important thing in world sport by a country mile

Andy Farrell pauses for a second, his arms outstretched and his hands flat on the table in front of him. He is considering what the British and Irish Lions mean to him and what legacy the tour of Australia might leave. For a moment, he is speechless. The Lions have not won a Test series since their last visit to Australia 12 years ago. The last tour of South Africa was memorable only for the logistical triumph of getting it done at the height of the Covid pandemic in empty stadiums. There is a sense that to future-proof the allure and mystique of the Lions concept, it could do with a series to reignite the passion and connection with the supporters that was the glorious legacy of the 2009 tour of South Africa, even though it ended in a 2-1 defeat. Farrell might have been forged by rugby league but the Wiganer, who has now spent over half his professional career in rugby union, is acutely aware of the honour and responsibility he carries now as Lions head coach, having worked as an assistant coach on the tours of Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017. 'I've not done my homework on this and I don't care what the answer is, to me, when the Lions tour gets going, when we get down to the Tests, to the business end, it will be the most important thing in world sport by a country mile, whatever is going on,' says Farrell, having gathered his thoughts. 'It will. That is just a fact. It shows the importance of it. Nobody will believe it until we actually get to that point, but then everyone will start to believe it, because the facts will be there: the supporters, the build-up and the hype and all of that. That's when they will realise how special it is.' Farrell's passion is infectious. He recalls the impact of the 2009 tour when Sir Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland 'got a bit of pride back and fight, that's why everyone felt good about it,' and recalls the iconic shot of the Lions and New Zealand players in the joint team photograph following the drawn series in 2017. He has thought long and hard about what he will regard as a success for this tour, and surprisingly for such a serial winner as a player and coach, he does not feel it would be entirely defined only by results. He wants more than that. He wants his players to do justice not just to themselves but to the jersey, starting by making amends for the defeat by Argentina in Dublin last Friday. 'I always say to all my teams that winning matters,' he adds. 'It matters. But what matters more to me is us getting the best out of each other, getting the best out of the team. That's the ultimate really, because then, if we do that, then the rest takes care of itself. There's a bigger picture. 'Because sometimes winning, it's not always in your hands – injuries, two men sent off, whatever the rules are with the scrum now, where you can go to 13 men, a bounce of a ball, all of that. The opposition could have such a performance that you actually go 'Wow, fair play to them'. Still, you have to be good enough to be at your best when all that matters. 'I know we are going to have to roll with the punches because of the nature of what old-fashioned touring is about. But what matters to me more than most is us coming away at the end of the series going 'Wow, we were a brilliant team, we made something of it.' Then the rest will look after itself.' The journey that has taken Farrell to Perth on the eve of the opening tour game against Western Force on Saturday, officially began when he was appointed as Lions in January last year. He was the outstanding candidate, having coached Ireland to a series victory in New Zealand in 2022, the Grand Slam in 2023 and taking Ireland to No 1 in the world. Yet the true journey began when he made his debut for Wigan Warriors at the age of 16 and within a couple of years had forced his way into a vintage Great Britain side. He knew even back then that he wanted to be a coach one day and began taking notes. 'I do stop and think about it (his journey) but if I did that too long, I would be in the wrong spot,' he adds. 'When I came into the camp on the first day and people were rolling in, it reminded me it's rugby. It's what I've been doing all my life. It's the same people, the same people who are just as passionate, and you do get to pinch yourself because of how privileged you are to be in the position.' He recalls the excitement of starting with a blank canvas and putting together a staff of 36 people, starting with the appointment of Charlotte Gibbons as operations director on secondment from the Rugby Football Union, but that also reminded him of why he is happiest when he is coaching. 'One of the reasons I was excited about doing it is because it is different,' he adds. 'And different is good for me. There is a lot of travelling, a lot of conversations to be had and I was thinking 'God, I wish I was on the training field'. But that is good as well because it has made me appreciate what I do love. It shows me that I am not someone who wants to just sit above the rugby. The rugby is the pinnacle.' For Farrell, the best part of the job to date has been making the phone calls to those selected. The conversations, many emotional, reminding him of what makes the Lions so special. 'Some of the conversations that I have had have been the best conversations I have ever had in my life,' he adds. 'People ask me 'are you taking the piss?' or 'is this a wind up'. Phoning up the lads or staff, it just shows how much it means to people, that is how it should be. Some end up being pretty short conversations because they got so emotional because it's the pinnacle for everyone. When people get emotional, I think, 'That is exactly the power of the shirt.'' This brings us back to the beginning of the conversation. What the Lions mean to him and his players. One of the most moving conversations he had was with Finlay Bealham, the Ireland prop, when he called him about joining the squad as an injury replacement for Zander Fagerson. Farrell is not renowned for showing emotion, but the former two-time rugby league Man of Steel winner admitted to coming close to welling up when he heard Bealham's reaction. 'Finlay was one of the best conversations that I've ever had,' Farrell says. 'He was in the gym, training with a few of the Connacht lads. He'd seen a missed call, so he popped out of the gym, which wasn't right, because he should have phoned me back after he'd done the gym session. 'But he's puffing and panting. I said, 'Is everything OK? How's your fitness?' I'd already given him a heads-up that he could be around the squad for Argentina. I said, 'Well, you're in for a couple of weeks for Argentina – and to add to that, you're coming on tour, part of the full squad'. 'I don't know what was going on at the other end of the phone, but... they are the best parts. It just shows what it means to people. He brought me to t…' He stops himself. 'He brought me a little bit that way, emotionally, because I know what it means. So, they're brilliant conversations, aren't they? I take the piss out of the lads who were crying on stage or whatever. But it's real, isn't it? It shows what matters.' The Lions, it seems, are in good hands. Resmed is the Official Sleep Partner of the Qatar Airways 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia. As part of this, Resmed launched its 'Tackle Your Sleep' campaign to take a light-hearted look at serious sleep health issues affecting players and the fans in Australia, the UK and Ireland to raise awareness about the importance of quality sleep for both players and fans. For more information, visit:

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