Llanelli RFC

To all intents and purposes it's not a new league, it's a reduced prem with you'd imagine the intention being it's full of developing players and senior players who can plug a gap in the URC if needed.

Yes, let's hope indeed!

Mugwuffin wrote: ladram wrote: Not a dig but why should a self sufficient successful club like Llandovery cede anything to the Scarlets? If we had been half as well run as the Drovers over the years we wouldn't have sold Stradey twice and picked up the nickname of cash strapped Scarlets. The two businesses aren’t really comparable. Llandovery have more in common with Division 3 village clubs than a top level professional club.

I'm with you on this really. Comparisons between professional rugby and community clubs don't really work. Drovers are not self sustaining of course, they have multiple benefactors.

Success in the Prem is really linked to that money. By far and away the best supported team are just 5 points ahead of the RFC and played 2 games more.

Regardless of the WRU 8 team proposal, it's clear that just subsidizing the RFC team by allowing FOC use of PyS etc isn't sustainable. Simon Muderack was on the record recently on that point. The 100-150k needed for recruitment of experienced players to become a team that can compete in the Prem isn't there now, so it has even less chance next year.

It's well know that Quins are suffering some hardships this year too.

The obvious problem is how to bridge the gap between Scarlets Academy and development players needing game time, and the likes of the Drovers wanting to be successful in their league ( by paying players).

Personally, knowing the institutionalized tribalism in all levels of Welsh rugby, I doubt there will be a good outcome here.

As a summary, to me, the Prem should be nothing but a development pathway and stepping stone for the regions to blood talent, assess players, bring through guys needing game time/recovering from injury.

Drovers looks very well drilled this season, I’ve enjoyed watching them albeit from the other side of the ocean! They beat table topping Cardiff hands down. Could have been top if they beat Aberafon last week?

Edited by Tony Clifton - 18 March 2023 at 12:20am

ladram wrote: Not a dig but why should a self sufficient successful club like Llandovery cede anything to the Scarlets? If we had been half as well run as the Drovers over the years we wouldn't have sold Stradey twice and picked up the nickname of cash strapped Scarlets.

reesytheexile wrote: hoppy wrote: Anybody know how much the RFC budget is for players  It’s not enough and has been underfunded for years- perhaps £100k short imo-the position in the league every season doesn’t lie! It’s pointless carrying on as it is. If Scarlets can gain some control over the Drovers and Quins as clubs at the same time so much the better. Both of them have proper businesses with clubhouses as well. Llanelli rattles a 100 supporters in a 14500 stadium.

Anybody know how much the RFC budget is for players 

I’ve heard that the RFC are going to disband at the end of the season..hope not as it has huge implications going forward..