WRU warned not to ignore north Wales in elite rugby plans

Rygbi Gogledd Cymru play at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay

Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) have urged the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) not to forget the north in its radical plans for the professional game.

The governing body officially starts a six-week consultation process on Monday after unveiling its proposals to turn around the fortunes of the elite level in Wales.

The headline is the WRU's preference to cut the current number of four professional men's sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets – down to two.

The quartet are all based in the south while RGC, who play in Colwyn Bay, are one of the 10 semi-professional sides who play in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC).

"I hope people do remember the north because it is half the landmass of Wales and a third of the population," said RGC general manager Alun Pritchard.

"So, it does need to be taken into account... what that looks like moving forward."

RGC fly-half Billy McBryde played for Scarlets and Wales Under-20s

The WRU has stressed that the SRC is integral to its plans for the game and pledged that a scenario with two remaining pro teams "would release significant investment" into the competition, which has a salary cap of £160,000 for the upcoming season.

The governing body intends to bring in a national academy for men and women with a network of player development centres.

RGC field under-18 and under-16 sides in the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship.

"We are different in the fact we have our own academy so we don't have many (regional) players in," said Pritchard.

"It's going to be interesting to see this central academy and how that works with north Walian players.

"If a number of players do drop out of the professional regions will they all go to SRC clubs in the south? Will they all strengthen and we potentially don't? There's a number of factors."

The WRU has not indicated where the two elite clubs would be based or called under its preferred model.

"My personal opinion is I believe one day there should be a region in the north," said Pritchard.

"I understand it is difficult and it will take a number of years but that is the aim and that is what we are aiming for.

"Look at when the Under-20s first came to north Wales, the stadium sold out.

"If you do a SWOT analysis and look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, the opportunity, in my opinion, for rugby in Wales is in north Wales.

"That's where you have the opportunity to grow the game. Look outside the box and that's where you'll find us."

The Reynolds and McElhenney Wrexham factor

Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds took control of Wrexham in February 2021

RGC have multiple threats with rugby league clubs sniffing around their top talent along with Prem Rugby semi-finalists Sale Sharks.

They also have a revitalised Wrexham football team grabbing attention thanks to their rise from the National League to the Championship under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Pritchard, a Liverpool fan, was at the Racecourse himself for the first game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

"Rugby is a growing sport in north Wales and the number of participants is increasing," he said.

"However, when you add that little bit of sparkle from Rob and Ryan then it can have a dampening effect in certain ways, but we've just got to keep plugging away and keep showcasing what we do.

"It is impacted by the national game and how positive people are about rugby but we can only do what we can do."

Hunting southern scalps

RGC's Caio Parry has represented GB Sevens

RGC, who won the WRU National Cup in 2017, finished seventh in the inaugural season of SRC and lost to Carmarthen Quins in the wildcard round of the play-off.

They have the challenges of travelling to the south at least 11 times a year and facing rivals who are bolstered by young talents who are pushing for United Rugby Championship (URC) action.

RGC now have former Bath and England full-back Jon Callard, who started out at Newport, at the helm and aim to cause some upsets.

"It's going to be tough. We've lost a number of players this year," admitted Pritchard, who picks out Wales Under-18s centre Osian Llewellyn and full-back Caio Parry, who has played for GB Sevens, as ones to watch.

"However, we have recruited some people from further away, some from the domestic game in north Wales and we've brought through youngsters as we always do.

"At the end of the day we are there to develop north Walian talent and to try to get them into the professional and national game.

"The main aim for me would be to see youngsters come through, perform well, get some good home wins and then see what we can do on the road."