Regions and WRU on collision course...again

THE Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions are on a major collision course again – this time over sevens rugby.

The two sides are heading for a showdown less than a year after the new Participation Agreement heralded in a new deal and peace broke out.

The agreement, reached after months of haggling, gave Wales coach Warren Gatland greater access to the leading players, limited the amount of matches they could play in a season, allowed for a free weekend before the start of a major competition like the Six Nations and brought in a summer international.

But also in the deal thrashed out was a clause agreeing that primacy be given to IRB sevens competitions as and when required. Wales won the World Cup Sevens competition in Dubai in 2009, with Craig Hill and Tom Isaacs, then with Newport and the Dragons, part of the squad. But they fell away again this year, part of the reason being that few leading players were available. Buy online Six Nations Hospitality Packages with the best prices available! We are covering in Six Nations 2011 Hospitality and Tickets.

However, the Commonwealth Games are being held in Delhi in October and sevens is one of the events being contested.

Champions New Zealand are the big favourites with players like Hosea Gear, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Maoris’ win against England last month, available.

The WRU want to make a show in this competition, they don’t want Wales to be embarrassed, and as a consequence they are expected to invoke the Participation Agreement clause demanding the release of players.

The regions are aware of it and they fear the loss of top players for a number of Magners League games, especially with sevens warm-up matches planned, while the actual competition clashes with the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup.

Wales have been drawn against South Africa, also their opponents in the full World Cup next year, Tonga and hosts India in the Commonwealth Games and coach Paul John, who was in charge for Wales’ World Cup triumph, is on the road this week spreading the sevens gospel.

He began in north Wales yesterday and visits the four regions during the rest of the week.

“The sevens game is getting bigger and bigger on the world stage and in 2016 is set to be included in the Olympic Games for the first time,” said John.

“That has meant countries like Russia have really taken a new look at the sport and the IRB World Series gets stronger and stronger every season.

“We have been drawn in a tough pool with South Africa and Tonga, but it will be a great opportunity for the Welsh players to prove themselves on a major stage.

“With rugby sevens an Olympic sport for 2016 we are constantly looking to improve the standard and competitiveness of our sevens players while sevens also provides a great platform to improve skills and technical ability for the 15-a-side game.” Buy online England v France Hospitality Packages with the best prices available! We are covering in England v France 2011 Hospitality and Tickets.