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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The Ospreys have one hell of a start – away to Toulon, whilst the Blues have life a little easier at home to Edinburgh. The Dragons start away to Glasgow

Ospreys

Sat 9 Oct Toulon V Ospreys – 2.35pm – Stade Felix Mayol – Canal +
Fri 15 Oct – Ospreys V London Irish – 8.00pm – Liberty Stadium – Sky Sports
Sun 12 Dec – Munster V Ospreys -1.00pm – Thomond Park – Sky Sports
Sat 18 Dec – Ospreys V Munster – 3.45pm – Liberty Stadium – Sky Sports
14/15/16 Jan – London Irish V Ospreys – TBC – Madejski Stadium – TBC
21/22/23 Jan – Ospreys V Toulon – TBC – Liberty Stadium – TBC

Cardiff Blues

Sat Oct 9 Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh Rugby KO18:00 Cardiff City Stadium
Fri Oct 15 Castres Olympique V Cardiff Blues KO21.00 Stade Pierre Antoine
Sat Dec 11 Northampton Saints V Cardiff Blues KO17.45 Franklin’s Gardens
Sun Dec 19 Cardiff Blues V Northampton Saints KO15:00 Cardiff City Stadium
Cardiff Blues v Castres Olympique KO TBD Cardiff City Stadium
Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues KO TBD Murrayfield

Dragons

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2010 Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons 19.30
SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER, 2010 Newport Gwent Dragons v Toulouse 17.45 S4C*
SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER, 2010 Newport Gwent Dragons v London Wasps 13.00 S4C*
SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER, 2010 London Wasps v Newport Gwent Dragons 13.00 Sky Sports
14 / 15 / 16 JANUARY, 2011 Toulouse v Newport Gwent Dragons
21 / 22 / 23 JANUARY, 2011 Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors

*Highlights

Scarlets

9/10/10 15:45 Scarlets v Perpignan Parc y Scarlets
17/10/10 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets Welford Road
11/12/10 15:00 Scarlets v Benetton Treviso Parc y Scarlets
18/12/10 14:35 Benetton Treviso v Scarlets TBA
14/15/16 Jan TBC Scarlets v Leicester Tigers Parc y Scarlets
21/22/23 Jan TBC Perpignan v Scarlets TBA

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This is interesting in a number of ways. Firstly that the Blues are prepared to get rid of their Lions and Welsh star despite him having two years left on his contract. Whilst they may have managed to somehow keep Xavier Rush when he looked set to join Ulster the loss of Andy Powell is a significant loss in depth at the 8 position.

But it doesn’t seem too much of an issue – reports from those ‘in the know’ (be careful of Chinese whispers mind) is that Andy Powell has burnt a lot of bridges in recent months, especially with those at Cardiff. This certainly seems confirmed in what is a very final statement from Dai Young on the Cardiff Blues Website

”
Everyone at the Blues would like to thank Andy for his services to the region over the past five years.”

When he is fully focused, Andy in one of the best back row forwards in the country, as he showed when he was deservedly called up to represent his country and the British and Irish Lions during his time with the Blues.”

“However, I think it’s fair to say that this last season has been a difficult one for Andy following the unwise incident with the golf buggy and he has lost his way somewhat.”

“Both parties felt it was in the best interests of the region and Andy if we parted company and we wish him well with his future rugby career.”

When you filter that through what is usually more polite ‘media speak’ it seems like there is one not very impressed head coach that is happy to see Andy Powell leave.

Now it is no secret that this blog is not exactly a big Andy Powell fan. But with the rise of importance of dynamic number 8′s, and the loss of form of Ryan Jones, Powell is still an important cog in the (much dilapidated) Welsh machine – and so his move to England comes as a bit of a blow.

That means of the 3 best Welsh 8′s currently plying their trade only Ryan Jones is following the stated wish of the Welsh coaches to have Welsh players in the Welsh set up. Andy Powell moves to Wasps in the same summer Gareth Delve moves down to Australia.

Has Ryan Jones now become immoveable as the Welsh 8?

EDIT: Wasps have now confirmed the signing – saying this

On the news, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, “We are delighted to announce that Andy Powell, a hugely talented and highly regarded international back-row forward, joins Wasps ahead of the new season. Andy makes his move from Cardiff based on his desire to drive both his club and international career and whilst his rugby ability is obvious, the Wasps coaching team have all warmed to Andy immediately and are impressed by his drive and enthusiasm to relocate to London and join Wasps.

“Andy is the first high profile Welsh signing at the club since Rob Howley and we are confident he will benefit from the environment and ‘Wasps way’ in a similar fashion and become a favourite with the Wasps faithful. He will be a welcome addition to the squad and is held in high regard by people in the game that we at Wasps trust and respect – none more so than Wasps’ Lions players who played alongside him and forged friendships with him in South Africa in 2009.

“This is a good fit for both Andy and Wasps – we want to give him the platform, on the back of good club performances, to play at the highest level possible and Andy is committed to developing his game and ensuring success for Wasps in 2010/11.”

On joining Wasps Powell said, “I am extremely excited to be joining London Wasps. My decision was a pure rugby decision. After all the talk and speculation about where I will be playing, all I want to do now is get my head down, improve as a player and hopefully if selected, play in the World Cup next year for my country.

“To do that I need to be playing well for my club, and I think with the coaching team and setup here at Wasps, I will have the perfect opportunity to do that. I know Shaun Edwards well of course from my time with the Welsh team, and I took little persuading once I met with Tony Hanks and Trevor Woodman about how serious this team is about success and winning.

“Wasps have pulled together a great squad, with some great coaches and I think this is an environment in which I will thrive as a player and I hope to do my part to help bring success and trophies to Wasps.”

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The likes of Halfpenny and Tom James are likely to be looking to prove a point when it comes to the Welsh spot, with the tour to New Zealand coming up, and no doubt Richie Rees would like to start putting in some performances to keep his stock high with the Welsh management.

But of course it is Cardiff’s result that matters, with the competition amongst the Welsh regions for the 3 Heineken cup places hotting up. They will be desperate to put some breathing space between them and the Llanelli Scarlets and make sure they are in Europe’s top competition next season.

Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, C Laulala, T Shanklin, T James; C Sweeney, R Rees; G Jenkins, R Thomas, T Filise, S Morgan, P Tito (capt), A Powell, X Rush, M Williams.

Replacements: R Williams, S Andrews, A Pretorius, M Molitika, G Cooper, S Norton Knight/D Flanagan, Dafydd Hewitt.

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Did you know that over 20,000 turned up to watch the Ospreys yesterday?  The problem?  It was in Italy, not Wales.  That’s right, the Italians get (a reported) 20,543 to watch Viadana vs the Ospreys.  Even at £5 a ticket do you think the Ospreys will get close to that?

But more worrying is what is going on down at the rubbishly named Cardiff City Stadium.  There was a reported 10k there for the biggest game of Cardiff’s season so far (and a game that really makes their season worth playing on in)… but most who were there question that.

You see the reported figures have been poor at Cardiff recently, they couldn’t manage 20k to the Australia game, one the Ospreys sold out to ahead of the game a couple of years ago.  And that is reported, most people who go along to these games regularly say how it doesn’t look that many.  The reported figure, it seems, always includes season ticketers who didn’t turn up, which gives a nice boost.

So where are they?

The Cardiff Blues are paying through the nose for rent at Cardiff City Stadium, but aren’t getting the crowds to back it up.  But they should – they had 27k to a pool game just last year, in the Millenium Stadium.  The lack of atmosphere means that any game is dead anyway, even if we get told there are 8k there, or whatever.

That rent means they must be operating at a loss, a big loss – suggestion is that rent comes in at roughly £60k a game.  Add wages, costs for policing etc on top and think about how much money a ‘home game’ is going to cost, not make.

Cardiff Arms Park got crowds in, has a center of town location, had atmosphere and earned big profits for the region.  Yes a higher capacity was needed – but couldnt the MS be used, or take one off games to the new stadium?

The crowds are down, the money is down and the costs up, isn’t it time for the Blues management to say ‘we made a mistake’?

It seems not, but the suggestion is that it is not for rugby reasons but for the hope that the lease (a 14 year one apparently) the Cardiff Blues have at CAP will be bought off, giving a massive pay out that will allow loans given by prominent figures to be paid off.  I don’t know if that’s true, or the full facts on that, but it does seem that the Blues board are less than keen for the fans to know the full information in the background.

I hope they prove me wrong, come out and show why this is a good move in terms of figures and for the region as a whole.  But I don’t see it, I really, really don’t.  As far as i am concerned it is time for Cardiff to get back to their spiritual home.  No wonder a lot of the die hards are staying away, it is hard to blame them.

Some debate about this article is going on here – Rugby Rebels thread (gets a little heated)

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Have to admit that I did not see that coming.  They achieved a narrow victory (of just  vote) over the Ospreys, with Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets tied for last place, well behind the top 2 regions.

Pretty much reflects the Magners league at the moment, though the Scarlets could point to their impressive Heineken cup results to suggest they could do something this season.

<h3>Final Votes</h3>

Dragons – 32 votes

Ospreys – 31 votes

Cardiff Blues – 17 votes

Scarlets – 17 votes

A new poll is going up now – voting can take place on the right hand side of the site

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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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Paul Tito also returns from injury and is selected on the bench.  Promising young flanker Sam Warburton is selected on the blindside with ‘nugget’ returning whilst Gareth Cooper regains a starting spot from Richie Rees at scrum half.

With the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named the day after a lot of players are playing for squad and starting spot places with Wales – but of course the main focus for all will be winning this grudge match.  Mouth watering match ups include the (likely) battles between Jamie Roberts and James Hook, Shane Williams and Tom James/Leigh Halfpenny, Xavier Rush vs Ryan Jones (ok not welsh battle but very interesting).

This should be a cracking game – it is on TV but those who can get there should really make the effort in my opinion.

Cardiff Blues Team

15 Ben Blair 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Tom Shanklin 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Sam Norton-Knight 9 Gareth Cooper

8 Xavier Rush 7 Martyn Williams 6 Sam Warburton 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Taufa’ao Filise 2 Gareth Williams 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Gary Powell 18 Paul Tito 19 Ben White 20 Richie Rees 21 Ceri Sweeney 22 Richard Mustoe

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But a great coup for the Blues, bringing in the two times rugby World Champions gives a guaranteed sell out – which at the Leckwith should mean a huge amount of money considering the 27,000 capacity.

Dai young, the Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby has this to say

The match against Australia should be a great occasion for all the fans and everyone involved with the Cardiff Blues.

“It’s also a great opportunity for those players who have not played international rugby to face against one of the best teams in the world.

“This will be the first time the Blues have played against an international team and hopefully the fans will turn out in force to support the team on what promises to be a great occasion for the region at the new Cardiff City Stadium.”

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The huge Cardiff Blues injury list has hit even harder with Xavier Rush missing out on the Heineken Cup clash away at Sale.  The flu bug that struck him, Tom Shanklin and Sam Warbuton has ruled him out – though both Shanklin and Warburton have recovered to resume their places in the team following on from the win against the Harlequins.

With Rush out the backrow has been rejigged, Robin Snowden-Taylor comes in on the openside flank, Andy Powell moves to number 8 and Sam Warburton moves over to the blindside.

Some good news for both Cardiff and Wales is that world class loose head prop Gethin Jenkins returns to captain the side in his first game since getting injured playing for the British Lions vs South Africa (don’t forget the British Lions DVD is coming out next week).

Cardiff Blues Team vs Sale

15 Ben Blair 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Tom Shanklin 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Sam Norton-Knight 9 Richie Rees

8 Andy Powell 7 Robin Sowden Taylor 6 Sam Warburton 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Taufa’au Filise 2 Gareth Williams 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Darren Morris 18 Gary Powell 19 Ben White 20 Rhys Williams 21 Gareth Cooper 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Richard Mustoe

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