This is a league that gets much derision for a number of reasons, for teams not taking it seriously, for a lack of fans, for a lack of interest. But yet again we see just how the Magners League address this issue – they do nothing and hope it works.

Now I do think the Guinness Premiership is an over rated league. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a number of things going for it – not least because they know how to interest the fans.

Double Header

This season, having moved to London, I have ‘acquired’ a Wasps season ticket. Obviously I would prefer to be watching the Ospreys but that isn’t logistically possible. But I look at what Wasps start out with and then I look at the Ospreys fixture list and I am left thinking that maybe watching the GP is the right choice.

Wasps start with the ‘double header’ at Twickenham. I did this last year and it is a great day out, loads of fans, loads of buzz, a lot going on and two great games against traditional rivals. Kicks the season off well.

Compare this with the Ospreys start. Two trips to Ireland, which most fans are going to be unable to get to, and two home games vs the new Italian teams.

Now I know that having a league in so many countries is going to lead to a number of games you don’t care as much about – but there has to be a better way of starting the season off than this!

Why can’t we look at the Welsh teams getting a double header together at the Millenium? Goodness only knows the clubs don’t take the league that seriously anyway so the move of a ‘home game’ to the Millennium will not be too concerning, and will create a lot more interest amongst fans.

Even if that not is the case a local derby to kick us off allows all fans to get to their teams first game of the season, will lead to some sell outs and create a lot of media and fan interest. Surely it is important to start the season off with a bang?

Not in the Magners League though, a whimper is more accurate. But then what else can we expect from a league that doesn’t want good players playing in it.

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But it is not as clear cut as all that, in fact it is nothing like you would think from hearing that those nasty Osprey people (trust me, read any non-Welsh message board and you will see many people calling them a lot worse, based on nothing but hearsay) cancelled a game.

Rearranged

First up it was a rearranged game. Why was it re-arranged in the first place? Because Ulster failed to provide adequate facilities. Quite simply they had no under soil heating and were amazed to find they had to call a game off at short notice (freezing conditions in Ireland in the winter? Who’d have thought it?).

We then find that they put forward a date to the Magners League that not only did the Ospreys not agree to, but offered 3 alternative dates for. Ulster ignored the Ospreys and did it anyway. This, of course, sets a dangerous precedent. It seems that any home game can now be called off and rearranged for whenever you want it (even if it was called off for you not having adequate facilities). How much would the Dragons prefer to take on Munster in an International window? Or the Ospreys require Leinster to play them a day after Leinster play Munster? One hell of a good reason for calling off EVERY home game you have, to be rearranged for when you want.

Clashes

The game was never agreed to by the Ospreys, and for good reason, they knew they had little chance of fulfilling the fixture. The Magners League had, at the start of the season, insisted that no games took place whilst there were Internationals – and made the Welsh regions rearrange the EDF so that EDF games took place in the window instead. But apparently that didn’t count this weekend. The rearranged game was in the International Window for the 6 Nations, and so the Ospreys had all their Internationals out (including 3 front rowers, and another on Under 20 duty).

The game was also held at the same day as another big game. We will get onto the idea of ‘feeder clubs’ in a moment but the two that people suggested the Ospreys turn to for front row cover, Swansea and Neath, weren’t available. Why? Because the date Ulster chose not only had all the Welsh stars out but was the same day that first was playing 2nd in the Welsh Premiership. Which clubs were they? Ah yes, the supposed two ‘feeder clubs’ to the Ospreys, Neath vs Swansea.

Now before we get onto feeder clubs let us be very clear on something – there is no way a Magners League game can ever take precedent over a Welsh Premiership game because they are separate competitions, involving different teams and run by different people. The Magners League could no less insist that the Ospreys used one of the Neath or Swansea players any more that they could insist that they used Status Quo to sing before hand. They could ask, but they could not insist.

Feeder Clubs – The Myth Exposed

Now the idea of ‘Feeder Clubs’ is a failed one anyway, they are a myth. The Ospreys are owned by a company owned half by Swansea, half by Neath. this is a separate company for all intents and purposes – think about it, in a joint venture how many companies risk all their current business assets? None that survive that’s for sure.

So the direct relationship is out. Now think about the clubs for a moment. They contract players that they want, with an eye to being as successful as possible. Now it is suggested that the Ospreys could turn to any of them and take a player. But under what right is this true? these players are contracted to one company, another company can’t come in and demand they play for them instead.

Magners League

Some have suggested the Ospreys should have sought out short term cover. but this is missing the point. Firstly short term cover makes sense when you are talking about injuries, and the Ospreys did have some injuries (and a suspension), but they had the cover – if the games were played when the Magners League said they would be, outside of the International Window.

Magners League rules insists on a maximum of 36 players being registered, a minimum of 10 of which must be front row players. The Ospreys met this requirement, and still couldn’t play because of

1) Injuries
2) A suspension
3) International call ups

On a day that a game shouldn’t have been on, to a game that they didn’t agree to, and one they gave a lot of notice they weren’t going to attend.

Questions to be Answered

So tell me, why should Ulster have been allowed to dictate the game date? A dangerous precedent. Why should the Ospreys be punished for having 4 front row players in the Internationals? (at that point remember, the first choice Welsh front row as Geth and Rees were injured)?

From now on the message is clear. Retired ex-Internationals and those not good enough for International duty only. Otherwise you will be forced to play games without your players, and docked points and fined if you refuse.

I do hope the World is paying attention to how seriously the Magners League is taking itself, and acts appropriately.

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Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones (capt).

Replacements: Ed Shervington, Ryan Bevington, Ian Gough, Filo Tiatia, Jamie Nutbrown, Gareth Owen, Nikki Walker.

And a much depleted Dragons team

15. Will Harries, 14. Adam Hughes, 13. Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12. Pat Leach, 11.Richard Fussell, 10. Jason Tovey, 9. Wayne Evans, 1. Aaron Coundley, 2. Tom Willis, 3. Ben Castle, 4. Robert Sidoli, 5. Hoani MacDonald, 6. Andrew Coombs 7. Gavin Thomas, 8. Lewis Evans,

16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Pat Palmer 18. Jevon Groves, 19. James Harris, 20. Tom Riley, 21 Adam Greendale, 22. Jonathan Evans

anyone giving the Dragons a chance?

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And that hasn’t really changed. Until the end of the season anyway.

The playoffs actually seem to be working. The Munster squad selected to go over to Cardiff is a very strong one, the Ospreys went to Munster with the target of winning (and actually did) and teams are fighting it out to make the playoffs. the Cardiff Blues game vs Munster will be one of the relatively few Magners League games I have actively looked forward to, certainly outside of the derbies.

So something is going right with the Magners League for a change. Let us not pretend it has suddenly become a great league, or that it now ranks up there with the Top 14, but it just goes to show that having something to play for actually works – and the same could have been said of getting the HEC placings for the Welsh team (although it looks like The Turks could well be in the HEC anyway, certainly if the Cardiff Blues win the Amlin).

I just hope things start to improve. Without a proper Anglo-Welsh cup there is only Europe to get excited about otherwise, and whilst the Blues have had two good runs there (albeit one in the plate competition) Welsh rugby fans still need the day to day stuff to draw in teh crowds.

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Which makes head coach Nicgel Davies’ decision to rest Stephen Jones and Sean Lamont after their 6 Nations efforts an interesting one. Presumably he feels it better they get a rest to take on the more winnable games – including home to the Cardiff Blues in April. So instead Rhys Priestland starts at 10 again.

Edinburgh bring 3 Scottish Internationals back into their side following the 6 nations – with Captain Mike Blair leading the charge from scrum half. Nick De Luca and Alan Macdonald are the other two to join him. Jim thompson and Ben Cairns also return to a strong looking Edinburgh side looking to continue their push for the Magners League play offs.

Scarlets team vs Edinburgh

15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Regan King, 12 Jonathan Davies 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 1 Iestyn Thomas, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Damian Welch, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Richie Pugh 8 David Lyons (capt).

Replacements: 16 Deacon Manu, 17 Matthew Rees, 18 Lou Reed 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Daniel Newton, 22 Gareth Maule

Edinburgh team vs Scarlets

Jim Thompson, Mark Robertson, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Tim Visser, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain), Kyle Traynor, Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross, Scott MacLeod, Steve Turnbull, Alan MacDonald, Ross Rennie, Roddy Grant.

Replacements: Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen, Jim Hamilton, Scott Newlands, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, John Houston.

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I have heard the excuses, most notably current injuries – 7 I think at last count.  And some to important players such as Regan King, Dafydd Jones and most recently Matthew Rees.  But to me they are just that, excuses.  The Ospreys, whilst admittedly having far more money than the Scarlets, have absorbed a far bigger list of injuries to their best players.  The Blues have struggled more on that front, but despite having a squad about as thin as that in Llanelli have managed to outperform them.

The Reamining Season

But the question has to be asked… where now?  Two successive defeats (and heavy ones at that) against Leinster have ruled them out of the Henieken Cup so the Magners League becomes a priority.  Remember that the bottom placed Welsh side no longer goes into a play off against an Italian one to get into the Heineken Cup, they go straight into the bottom tier competition. Considering the money spinning ties, TV deals and sponsorship monies for being in the Heineken cup that is a massive blow – and one the Scarlets can ill afford.

So with focus on the Magners League things become important, including today’s Blues vs Dragons game… the Cardiff Blues are only just above them and the Dragons have a history of falling away after a promising start. But the Scarlets will find it tough going to catch either as both are in considerably better form that the Llanelli side can claim to be.

Nigel Davies and Problems

It is important to look beyond this season though. Ask the question, is Nigel Davies the right guy for the job? When he was appointed for Wales I questioned what he has done to deserve it and still I question why he deserves to be in charge of the Llanelli Scarlets (sorry, forgot, they have dropped the Llanelli now). He was backs coach when they started to go down hill in that regard and the Welsh attack during his tenure as international attack coach was toothless.

The front 5 needs to be addressed, but, aside from signing Rhys Thomas (currently injured but far from a tight 5 expert), nothing has been done to address the lack of power from 4 of the front 5 (both Rees and Owens are quality at hooker though). They got schooled by the Ospreys scrum and dominated at the breakdown – and remember the Ospreys have struggled in those two areas against top class opposition themselves (though have been improving game on game since September).

Their attack looked little prepared to break down the Ospreys defence, again one that has struggled against top class opposition, getting into high scoring ties vs Leicester and Clermont whilst the defence was torn to shreds by Leinster – the positioning especially looked clueless.

I know this will annoy some of the Scarlet supporters but I don’t see much changing. If they get their players back then they might be able to try fight for mid table, but it would take a big, concerted effort and other regions falling off the pace. The question that first needs to be asked is – will the Scarlets see Heineken cup rugby next season?

A question I have asked here – feel free to have your say on the matter too! (includes a poll)

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This is the artice that I am talking about.

Firstly let us look at what has to be the best line of the whole article…

A Western Mail investigation shows average attendance across the regional scene have been poor this season, with the Dragons (5,201), Scarlets (6,718) and the Ospreys (7,084) below the 8,000 mark.

Wow, what an investigation.  Bet it took them all of a few minutes to compile an average attendance.  Hell they are roughly the same as you get in a nice little drop down menu here – though that is just for the Magners League.

Consideration of Facts

But my main issue isn’t their claims of investigation, but that they fail to consider certain aspects and are just trying to create a story.  I am using the Ospreys here as I know their fixtures better than anyone else’s.

The Ospreys have, according to the Western Mail, an average of 7084.  That fails to take into account a couple of pieces of information

• The Ospreys are yet to play the big ‘crunch’ tie of the Heineken Cup – which is likely to get a bigger crowd than any other match in the cup.
• There are 9 home Magners League games a season, the Ospreys have played 5.  Whilst one of the remaining 4 is Connaught it should be noted that the other 3 are Welsh Derbies, traditionally the biggest home games of the season – and vs the Scarlets is often a sell out.

Now it seems to me that if you are going to make a comparison of average crowds at a mid point of the season you have to accept that there are in fact going to be a large difference between teams based on who has had what home games.

But in a rush to create an ‘expose’ they seem to have forgotten that.

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For those that missed the fairly innocuous looking line it says

The match against Viadana is probably the biggest game of the season so far for the Ospreys.

Fair enough… or not. Well firstly I have my doubts. Of the season so far surely Leicester or Clermont Auvergne were more important, and bigger, games. I know we need the 5 points from each of the two Viadana games to help the cause in the Heineken Cup but surely we must consider this game smaller than some of the Magners League games.

Only it looks like we don’t. We just beat Munster when shorne of 5 British Lions, a massive win that puts us back into contention at the top of the league. But we are still in 5th whilst top 4 go into the play offs – every game counts. But that isn’t considered as important a game.

To most Welsh fans it is the derbies that matter most, but one look at the side that the Ospreys sent to Cardiff (sorry, Cardiff City stadium, what a crap name) and you’ll see that they obviously didn’t care about that game either, the points or the fans feelings about it.

So I have to ask (and indeed have done so here) do the Ospreys care about the ML at all?

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Why do I say that?  Well the huge amount of complaints people seem to be making following on from the Ospreys (admittedly dire) 9 – 9 draw with Glasgow at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

Some people, such as Demle Parfitt in the Wales on Sunday, and many others I have spoken to, feel that it is not good enough.  More they feel it shows everything that is wrong with the Magners League.

Or in other words, they want their cake and they want to eat it too.

Make a Choice

Here is some facts for you. The Ospreys were missing 23 players for that game (according to the Evening Post) between injuries and international call ups. If they could put out their first team how different would it be?

Well lets look at that a moment. An Ospreys team below… made up entirely of players they couldn’t play.

1. Duncan Jones
2. Huw Bennett
3. Adam jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Ian Evans
6. Jonathon Thomas
7. Marty Holah
8. Ryan Jones

9. Mike Phillips
10. Dan Biggar
11. Shane Williams
12. James Hook
13. Tom Isaacs
14. Jamie Nutbrown (with Nikki Walker for just over a half)
15. Lee Byrne

How do you think that would do against the team the Ospreys named? Exactly.

But what has this got to do with cake?

A lot of those players, vital players like Ryan Jones and James Hook, are in the Welsh squad to play New Zealand (and most of those injured would be if they weren’t injured)… they are training to give us the best chance possible of beating the All Blacks in a game we haven’t won in 50 years.

Judging by the public response to tickets we want this game to happen. More fans will be at that game than the 4 average regional gates combined. We want to win that game… but then we moan that the week before the regions weren’t good enough which proves the Magners League is a faulty product.

Sorry, but did I miss a trick? What has the Magners to do with this? The WRU wanted a glamour match vs the kiwis because it looks good and sells tickets, the public love watching us play the best teams in the world, especially the Kiwis, and the regions accepted because of some back room deal which presumably gives them more money.

So everyone wants this AND wants our players playing the week before in the Magners league and so coming into the game with no preparation time – a game that the All Blacks warmed up for by playing Australia?

Genius.

Faulty product

That is not to say that the Magners League is perfect, or even that great at all. There are problems. Outside of the derbies the lack of away fans can lead to a dead atmosphere. The regions aren’t getting the crowds we would have hoped, and frankly i have to say that the whole thing is being marketed very, very poorly.

Teams aren’t sending out their best teams, and there is a lack of intensity compared to the Heineken Cup matches. So yes, it is a faulty product that we should be looking at doing something about. But the standard has raised this season (a bit anyway), in my opinion, and there is hope that the play off system will lead to more interest as the season goes on.

The Guinness Premiership has been poor this season (Gatland said so, didn’t you know), and having been at the opening double header and another game I am inclined to agree with gats on that. So let us not point to the GP and say ‘that’s how you do it’ as can be seen by some fans.

People need to put real thought into how to improve the Magners, but moaning about it in the national press because you didn’t get a good game to watch in the pub when you were having a pint is pathetic, ill thought out and helps no one. If we want to play New Zealand we need to accept that this weekend was going to be a poor one by the Welsh regions.

Or maybe Delme feels like giving his press pass to someone else for that game?

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With the scrum in such bad shape the Ospreys have relied on their talented backline to do the business – this isn’t going to happen now. With injuries to key players such as Phillips and Byrne in the backs it was going to be a tough ask against such a strong center partnership as Robers and Shanklin – but there is little hope for change in the midfield.

With the very average Tom Smith at 8, the struggling Cai Griffiths at tighthead and form 7 Holah dropped the pack is in for another tough ride.

Blues to win this in my opinion

Ospreys team vs Cardiff Blues

5 Barry Davies
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Sonny Parker
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Shane Williams (Capt)
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhodri Wells

1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Ian Gough
5 Alun-wyn Jones
6 Jerry Collins
7 Steve Tandy
8 Tom Smith

Replacements:
16 Ed Shervington
17 Paul James
18 Jonathan Thomas
19 Filo Tiatia
20 Ryan Jones
21 James Hook
22 Nikki Walker

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