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Dismayed reaction from Welsh fans as 7s set-up is scrapped
By Tom Parker
Just weeks after it emerged that the RFU were scrapping their England 7s programme, rugby officials in Wales have done likewise with their World Rugby Sevens Series team. A statement issued on Friday afternoon read: “The Welsh Rugby Union can confirm that its men’s sevens programme will cease to operate in its current format for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19."
Welsh fans have not reacted positively to the revelation that their team will be scrapped, which had some of the best sevens players in the world.
Explaining the decision to shelve their programme, WRU performance director Ryan Jones added: “It’s an extremely regrettable situation we find ourselves in, and one that is being felt across the world inside and outside the context of sport.
“I’ve seen first-hand how much the sevens players and staff have put their heart and soul into the programme, which has made reaching this outcome all the more difficult.
Many Welsh rugby fans could not contain their dismay at the Welsh Rugby Union, voicing their angst about how underfunded the Welsh sevens team has been in recent years.
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Latest Comments
Personally, I'd like Borthwick to impose a ban on any England player celebrations outside of the opposition 22. You have to earn the right to start whooping it up. If you can't control your emotions, then how can you control the game?
Go to commentsIt is extremely telling that in last year's U20 Tournaments - Georgia played in the Tier 1 comp vs. Scotland (who won and will be promoted to T1 in 2025), who played in the Tier 2 comp.
When you exclude the imports/parents/grandparents rules, I think that accurately reflects the true strength of the two nations' rugby.
The question is whether it is healthy that we have effectively allowed historically strong nations to effectively game the system via their inherent ability to recruit via overseas players basis.
But then, on the other hand, it makes it challenging for developing nations to develop, e.g. how can Georgia compete on the global stage when likes of Scotland can block their ability to access comps like the six nations when it is probably unjustified based upon the actual playing strength of the two nations.
I guess that's the challenge/quandary for World Rugby.
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