Newport Gwent Dragons have the unfortunate distinction of being the Welsh team in the last ever play off with an Italian team for a Heineken Cup place at the end of the season, which also means that any players picked in the Welsh squad to tour North America won’t be going.
This is because the Scarlets managed a win against a weakened Cardiff Blues side, condemning perennial play off team the Dragons to yet again play an Italian side to see which will take part in the premier competition of European rugby.
But it is to be the last time this happens. As of next season the 4th placed Welsh rugby region will be going straight into the European Challenge Cup – the 2nd tier European competition, with no play off against an Italian side. This will mean that there is more of a challenge for Welsh sides to do as well as possible in the Magners League – as well as the fact that there will now be play offs to see the winner of the competition, in the same manner as the English Guinness Premiership.
But for now the Dragons must await battle with an unyet decided Italian team (the end of their season in a couple of weeks will decide who the Dragons must face) in the hope that they will be playing in the very lucrative Heineken Cup next season.
As a Welshman and a fan of all things Welsh rugby I want to see all 4 sides competing in the Heineken Cup, but as someone who wants to see the intensity of the Magners league improve I think this change may well help ensure that the league becomes even more competitive.
It shall certainly be interesting to see how it turns out, but in the meantime – Come On Dragons!
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