Faletau Leads Wales and The Welsh Regions In To a Brighter Future
The sun rise up, I climb the ladder. The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream - Working on a Dream (2009)
This week's news that Toby Faletau singed a three year deal with the Dragons brought music to the ears not only of the Newport side but it also brought the Mozart symphony orchestra to the ears of the Welsh Rugby Union. It has not gone unnoticed that the Welsh regions have been struggling over the past few years. There have been huge disputes with the WRU, new salary caps have flooded the rivers between the regions and the union with bad blood and to top it off there have been an unprecedented number of Welsh players leaving Wales for other leagues across Europe.
The regions are still just poking their heads above water but after the destruction that came at the end of last season with so many high profile losses to the Welsh game, it is beginning to look as though the dark, dark storm clouds are passing over head. Although their movement is far from the pace of Usain Bolt and one thing everyone agrees on is that it will take a long time for the regions to settle down and fully prosper once more (if they will at all). However, keeping international players in the country is a great start to rebuilding the reputation of Welsh rugby as one of the best in the world.
Faletau made his debut for the Dragons back in 2009 and in only four years he has gone on to not only represent his country but also be one of the starting number eights in the 2013 winning Lions squad. By bucking the trend of his fellow international players of leaving Wales for France and England, Faletau not only adds to the exciting future of the Dragons but he also shows his fellow players that they don't need to fly to other clubs to be the best players they can be. Newly appointed Director of Rugby, Lyn Jones, states that this message is even more important than anything else - "It's good for the other players to know that they'll be playing with one of the best number eights in the northern hemisphere. Young rugby players want to earn money but they also want to make sure their future is a happy one, a safe one and a secure one. They want to win things and I think Toby coming to Gwent Dragons can help us get up and challenge for silverware in a few years."
Wales are notorious for suffering numerous losses after emphatic wins. Take 2012 for example - having won the Grand Slam in March the team went on to lose seven consecutive games during the summer and autumn internationals. Scarlets, Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies has warned the side that they must not fall back in to that trap again and suffer a "post Lions hangover". Davies highlights the importance of this year's autumn tests against the big three Southern Hemisphere teams and also emphsises that even after great performances by the squad it will be tough for the men in red - “We have got so much momentum over the last couple of years as a Welsh squad but the one thing we haven’t done is get some big southern hemisphere scalps. But, with the amount of Welsh boys (16) involved with the Lions and particularly in the third Test, we have got to be looking at beating them.
This week's news that Toby Faletau singed a three year deal with the Dragons brought music to the ears not only of the Newport side but it also brought the Mozart symphony orchestra to the ears of the Welsh Rugby Union. It has not gone unnoticed that the Welsh regions have been struggling over the past few years. There have been huge disputes with the WRU, new salary caps have flooded the rivers between the regions and the union with bad blood and to top it off there have been an unprecedented number of Welsh players leaving Wales for other leagues across Europe.
The regions are still just poking their heads above water but after the destruction that came at the end of last season with so many high profile losses to the Welsh game, it is beginning to look as though the dark, dark storm clouds are passing over head. Although their movement is far from the pace of Usain Bolt and one thing everyone agrees on is that it will take a long time for the regions to settle down and fully prosper once more (if they will at all). However, keeping international players in the country is a great start to rebuilding the reputation of Welsh rugby as one of the best in the world.
Faletau made his debut for the Dragons back in 2009 and in only four years he has gone on to not only represent his country but also be one of the starting number eights in the 2013 winning Lions squad. By bucking the trend of his fellow international players of leaving Wales for France and England, Faletau not only adds to the exciting future of the Dragons but he also shows his fellow players that they don't need to fly to other clubs to be the best players they can be. Newly appointed Director of Rugby, Lyn Jones, states that this message is even more important than anything else - "It's good for the other players to know that they'll be playing with one of the best number eights in the northern hemisphere. Young rugby players want to earn money but they also want to make sure their future is a happy one, a safe one and a secure one. They want to win things and I think Toby coming to Gwent Dragons can help us get up and challenge for silverware in a few years."
Faletau will undoubtably lead the Dragons in to one of the clubs most exciting times as they continue to develop in to an increasingly strong team filled with trophy winning potential. Although, it's not only Faletau that is bringing Welsh regional rugby back from the dead as during the Welsh tour to Japan numerous young players put their hands up and performed extremely well showing that the next generation are already fighting their way to the top. Now this is exciting for the regions. The regional scene looks even more positive going in to this new season after the Wales U20's reached the World Cup Final back in June with players such as Sam Davies and Ellis Jenkins showing the world that Wales are not currently only going through a winning 'phase' but they are prepared for the future and a future of winning.
Wales are notorious for suffering numerous losses after emphatic wins. Take 2012 for example - having won the Grand Slam in March the team went on to lose seven consecutive games during the summer and autumn internationals. Scarlets, Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies has warned the side that they must not fall back in to that trap again and suffer a "post Lions hangover". Davies highlights the importance of this year's autumn tests against the big three Southern Hemisphere teams and also emphsises that even after great performances by the squad it will be tough for the men in red - “We have got so much momentum over the last couple of years as a Welsh squad but the one thing we haven’t done is get some big southern hemisphere scalps. But, with the amount of Welsh boys (16) involved with the Lions and particularly in the third Test, we have got to be looking at beating them.
It’s going to be a tough autumn but we are excited by playing in Cardiff." With Gatland sticking around until after the 2015 World Cup and with the players having adopted a new winning mentality things are looking reasonably good for the Welsh boys.
Recent news of Warburton's injury indicates that he will hopefully be back playing by the start of the Heineken Cup. This bodes extremely well for both the Blues and Wales as the Lions captain will probably be ready to play for his country in time for the big physical and mental tests later this year in the Millennium Stadium. "It will be difficult with the Blues to walk straight back into the side, obviously you have to work your way in, but Heineken Cup rugby is great to be involved in. If I can get back for that, that would be awesome." And in terms of Wales the flanker stated "If I could get back sometime in October, that would be good,". Some very positive news for Wales and the Welsh regions.
The 2013/14 season looks like it is going to be a more positive one than last year with regions developing well and producing some great talent from their respective academies. Also they now look like they are in better shape to keep hold of their star players compared to last season. The regions are far away from being totally dominant in the rugby world but these next few years are crucial in terms of development and if the four regions work well with the WRU and continue to work hard with their squads instead of concentrating on the politics of business then they could bring Welsh rugby back to the forefront of the European game once more but let's not make light of it - it will be a long hard road for the clubs.
Comments
Post a Comment