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.
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
