there have been rumours in the past that if celtic fail the folk thee will look to move to cardiff and be given ANOTHER chance to 'make it work'

I watch most sports other than wendy ball and to be fair to Onion, the England v Italy game was the worst example of union I have seen since I began watching the the 5 nations in the 60's. I watch Union as a seperate sport and therefore have no inclination to compare it with either Rugby League or Gealic football.
The point about Welsh Union nicking Crusaders talent is just pi55 and wind as the WRU is in no position to bankroll high profile signings and probably wouldn't after the RFU Farrell fiasco.
In fact, I would go as far as to say that those players just outside the WRU elite squad may well jump ship the other way if they are good enough.
What this has done, is highlight the fact that the WRU are aware of the Crusaders and will monitor the situation closely...which points to them being a little nervous about the potential competition from League.

I don't think this is about high profile signings though, more about picking up kids at 17/18 unless I misunderstood it

South Africa's 'obsession' with RU has always been a white elite class-purported myth.

For Mr. Average South African the Kaizer Chiefs (or other club) has always been the bigger draw.

Always will be.

Orlando Pirates.

Up the Bucs!

Amakhosi – boo!

them and Carol Thatcher then.........gets own coat

The fact of the matter is that its an open market.

Rugby League fought for 100 years to have the position that a player could swap teams and codes if need be to earn as much money as possible.

It should hardly be whining when things don't go its way.

If the Crusaders want the best juniors, then pay market value for them.


Anyway, as has been stated plenty of times already, Rugby Union in Wales has less money than Keiron Cunninghams dietitian.

how are they supposed to pay market value for them in a salary capped league?

or invest in their youth and academy set-up

I dare say 'market value', particularly for an academy player and moreso when the 'poaching' WRU have bugger all money, will not put any sort of serious dent in their salary cap (if indeed they are operating within one).

couldn't resist could you?

When it is so low, it is clear it will,

the wages, in RU are higher than RL, by paying market value for players wanted by the WRU they are going to end up paying out more for them, and still under the league SC

would longer term contracts be the answer? then at least the unions (be it welsh or otherwise) would have to pay a fee to the league club. this in turn could be invested in new players and/or the youth set-up.

i think the answer is to remove players developed by clubs from that clubs salary cap,

and have the cap on players brought in from other clubs and overseas