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'Idiotic' - Welsh fans are irate with the timing of merger talks
By Josh Raisey
In a week of controversial changes to rugby across the world, the WRU have chipped in with their own plan to potentially merge the Scarlets and the Ospreys.
In light of these increasing rumours, and the introduction of a region from north Wales, fans have shown their disapproval on Twitter.
This new proposal has seemed to anger fans for many reasons, as a huge number has flocked to express their outrage.
One major reason why fans are up in arms is because of the success of both the Scarlets and the Ospreys.
Those two sides have been the most successful in Wales in the professional era, with the Ospreys winning the Pro14 four times and the Scarlets winning it twice, compared to both the Cardiff Blues and the Dragons who have not won it at all. The fact that the Dragons were not part of the merger has confused many fans across Wales, as they have clearly been the least successful region.
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Very few fans see the new set up being successful at all, as there were waves and waves of fierce criticism, highlighting the Scarlets’ long and proud history that will be in tatters.
The amount of criticism is so vast that it cannot be boiled down to a few tweets, however, there is one element of this potential merger that has confused the fans a lot, and that is the timing.
Wales are days away from their penultimate game of this year’s Six Nations against Scotland, with a potential Grand Slam on the horizon. After their heroic win over England in the last round, Wales are the only unbeaten side in the Championship. This news could seriously curtail Wales’ progress, in what is Warren Gatland’s final Six Nations before he leaves.
This is what the fans have said:
This is a proposal that has received universal criticism and condemnation across Wales, in what is one of the most radical changes in years.
Many will say that this is a move that had to happen and could not be avoided, but the timing of the announcement is what has irritated this particular set of fans.
Wales travel to Edinburgh on Saturday and will hope to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches, while setting up a showdown with Ireland in Cardiff the week later with the hopes of securing Gatland’s third Grand Slam. All Welsh fans will hope that these announcements have not been to detrimental to the national team.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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