WALES

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Moffett slams Welsh fifth region idea

Tuesday 19th August 2008

David Moffett: 'Astonished'

Former WRU CEO David Moffett is in disbelief over the union's plan to re-introduce a fifth competitive regional team to the country, four years after his role inreducing the number from five to four.
Moffett, who was the instigator behind the move to regional rugby from club rugby in 2003, and then raised hackles all over the valleys by being instrumental in the disbandment of the Celtic Warriors team from Pontypridd and Bridgend for financial reasons, said there were simply not enough players to justify the move.

"It's astonishing really, five regions can't be done," he told BBC Wales.

"There aren't enough players, there are already too many overseas players, and there isn't enough money in the game."

The current idea, revealed by Wales coach Warren Gatland on a radio show last week, is to set up a 'development region' in north Wales, but there is still talk of reviving the Warriors as well from current WRU CEO Roger Lewis.

Lewis recently said he would not have killed off the Warriors had he been in charge, a statement which provoked an angry rebuke from Moffett.

"Roger Lewis needs reminding that he was nowhere to be seen when we went through one of the most tumultuous periods in Welsh rugby, he was handed everything on a plate," said Moffett.

"As a direct result of the changes we had regional rugby, two Grand Slams in four years, problems solved over the Millennium Stadium debt and the Union in profit. None of that had anything to do with him."

Gatland's posturing over the matter also fell foul of Moffett's criticism.

"I like Warren and recommended him to Wales, but he should stick to coaching," said Moffett.

"One of Graham Henry's problems when he was coaching Wales was that he started to get involved with areas that were no concern of the national coach.

"Nothing has changed that would make a fifth region work, and it's an insult to north Wales to say that they should follow a development team who are likely to get thrashed most weeks.

"People have compared the idea to Connacht in Ireland, but no-one follows them.

"If they want to have a team up north, they should put the [Newport Gwent] Dragons up there."