It coincided with their annual awards, but you’d have thought their most capped player, someone who has given countless amounts of blood, sweat and tears for the region, Lloyd Williams deserved more than a cursory social media post to thank him for his massive investment and loyalty. True, he was presented with the Peter Thomas Player of the Year Award at the dinner, but I’d have expected more of a fuss to be made of him after 250 games.
That leaves Cardiff with 26 players on their books at present. They have their academy players as well, but with little money to shop with this summer you wonder what squad they will be able to put together for next season.
The 16 leavers named from the Arms Park followed on from the Scarlets announcing they have shed 15 players and the Dragons nine. The Ospreys are still counting, although we know that Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots have both signed for Exeter Chiefs, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler is heading to Japan, Dan Lydiate is on his way and Stephen Myler is retiring.
We still await news on the status of Alun Wyn Jones, Rhys Webb and Gareth Anscombe for next season, while Nicky Smith is still being courted by Saracens and Bristol Bears.
It means almost 50 players will be leaving Welsh rugby for one reason or another, freeing up around £5m in wages.
This huge cull of players was always going to happen given the difficult financial climate. Many of those released were at the end of their careers, and a few others have simply hung up their boots, but out of adversity comes opportunity. Will the next cab off the rank please move forward.
Denne historien er fra April 30, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 30, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
