I want you to think back to before the Autumn Internationals. To a time when our optimism hadn’t been dented by some poor performances and naive coaching decisions. To a time when we were still full of hope, whimsy and joy. Or something like that.

Are you thinking back? Remember the pain of knowing we would be without Adam Jones? There was a big debate over who would fill his sizeable boots – and the smart money seemed to be on Eiffon Roberts to step up and take on the best teams in the World.

Only it didn’t work out like that did it? To much shock and horror Warren Gatland instead chose Mr Paul James, a loosehead with barely a handful of tight head appearances, to be the man that Wales relied upon to get them out of the top spot. The right call? Not as bad a one as I thought, but I still think it was the wrong one. But it is not that I wish to bring to your attention.

Guiness Premiership

Instead I want you to remember the reasons that Mr Gatland gave for not picking Eiffon Roberts. One in particular. One he was much derided for by coaches and press alike. Struggling? Let me remind you.

The Guinness Premiership, having watched the games, is the weakest… I’ve ever seen,” said Gatland.

The outcry was tremendous – forums and press alike were livid at the suggestion. What was most telling though was the reaction of the Guiness Premiership spokesperson – who rushed to tell us that attendances were up. Says it all if you have to answer a rugby comment with a business one.

Fast forward to now. Assuming, of course, that the Ospreys stay in the Heineken cup following the whole 16 man controversy (which going by England in 03 they will), that means there are

• 4 French
• 2 Irish
• 1 Welsh
• 1 English

In the tournament. Disappointing from the Welsh, so we can hardly laud ourselves. But look at that stat for the English – the same amount, and in fact the English team to qualify were the lowest placed of all the teams.

Yes there are other things to take into account, yes the Welsh were just as bad. BUT considering the reaction at the time I think there are a wide number of people who need to go cap in hand to Mr Gatland and apologise. The Guinness Premiership is over rated by many. For my mind a more enjoyable league for the fan due to intensity (compared to the Magners League) – but the strength of their teams? That has been going downhill for awhile, and results seem to confirm this.

Of course this is just part of the build up to THE big game on Feb 6th…

Want to discuss this article? Use the comments below or discuss it on the forum at this post

Did you know you could get a FREE Welsh Rugby Blog newsletter delivered straight to your inbox? Simply enter your details here.



You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook now. Isn't technology wonderful!

Related posts:

1. Warren Gatland HAS to Learn From His Mistakes I am not calling for his head but I have...
2. Welsh Rugby Autumn International Squad – Announced Sunday I have seen a number of people asking the question...
3. Eiffon Roberts to France? It looks distinctly likely.  Far from returning to Wales to...
4. Will Wales be Playing Total Rugby? Remember total football? No not a computer game but the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.