WRU to take over the Dragons 100%

[Tre]

So this looks like its going to happen, complete with the dropping of both Newport and Gwent and is a distinct possibly at at least one other region.

[ALunpg]

Makes sense... sadly they were not going anywhere ...a strong team on Gwent has to be a positive for Wales .

The loss of the NG may solve something...but for me my local team could be called the pea bottled boo boos and I would still support them....but hey ho..hope it solves a problem.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Better than the Dragons going under. Will they be willing to put up the money to get some more decent players in?

[Sandydragon]

Probably not the preferred option of many in Newport or Gwent, but better than losing the pro team all together. Perhaps, with the WRU running it and a neutral name, the support from farther than just Newport might help, even if most of the bigger games will have to be at RP.

The devil is in the detail but thus far Id cautiously welcome this. If nothing else, we have the prospect of some stability and can plan to move forward.

[Ross. S]

Think the WRU need to be very careful about how they run the Dragons. Can't see the other regions being to pleased if they start pumping money and players into the Dragons. Don't think it'll be long before someone spits their dummy out about funding or favouritism unless the Dragons are kept as a development region which will be sad.

[Numbers]

Think the WRU need to be very careful about how they run the Dragons. Can't see the other regions being to pleased if they start pumping money and players into the Dragons. Don't think it'll be long before someone spits their dummy out about funding or favouritism unless the Dragons are kept as a development region which will be sad.

Didn't the WRU already own half of the Dragons, can't see much change really other than less autonomy.

[Ross. S]

Yes the WRU own 50% already but have zero input iirc. If the WRU have any sense they'll set up a seperate company to run the Dragone independantly with the WRU just doling out their share of the pot and collecting any profit (bahaha)

[Sandydragon]

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

[Numbers]

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

I assume they never found the investor they were looking for, Stuart Davies said that they had several revenue streams they were investigating not so long ago, pie in the sky.

[Sandydragon]

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

I assume they never found the investor they were looking for, Stuart Davies said that they had several revenue streams they were investigating not so long ago, pie in the sky.

Obviously not for the whole thing. Hopefully someone with some sense is i charge of this but anything is possible. Regardless of the fact the WRU is now the owner, Im still remaining optimistic. The only other solution was to fold and whilst that may still happen, this is another avenue to explore and who knows how it will turn out.

[Numbers]

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

I assume they never found the investor they were looking for, Stuart Davies said that they had several revenue streams they were investigating not so long ago, pie in the sky.

Obviously not for the whole thing. Hopefully someone with some sense is i charge of this but anything is possible. Regardless of the fact the WRU is now the owner, Im still remaining optimistic. The only other solution was to fold and whilst that may still happen, this is another avenue to explore and who knows how it will turn out.

Do you reckon Stuart Davies should be retained as CEO?

[Sandydragon]

I assume they never found the investor they were looking for, Stuart Davies said that they had several revenue streams they were investigating not so long ago, pie in the sky.

Obviously not for the whole thing. Hopefully someone with some sense is i charge of this but anything is possible. Regardless of the fact the WRU is now the owner, Im still remaining optimistic. The only other solution was to fold and whilst that may still happen, this is another avenue to explore and who knows how it will turn out.

Do you reckon Stuart Davies should be retained as CEO?

I think we need a new figurehead. New ownership, rebranded region, new leadership.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Good luck. It seems to me that small countries with little in the way of big finance or rich idiots need the shelter of their Union for their pro sides.

[Sandydragon]

Good luck. It seems to me that small countries with little in the way of big finance or rich idiots need the shelter of their Union for their pro sides.

The money is definitely at international level in most countries (excepting England and France) so there is a logic to what is happening. I think the key risk will be if the Dragons are perceived to be getting more than their fair share by the other teams.

[Tre]

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

Only one region apparently is not up for it

[Tre]

Blues next - in the times today

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Blues next - in the times today

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

Only one region apparently is not up for it

I think this is extremely good news for Welsh rugby. Any news on who the hold out is? Presumably it is the Os.

[Tre]

Blues next - in the times today

Aye, the WRU does own half and is a silent partner.

The reaction of the other regions will be key. If the WRU are smart, they will consider how other investors can get involved as well, but if the Dragons appear to get more than their fair share of the WRU money then there will be issues. One positive is that many of the existing debts are being written off.

Time will tell I suppose.

Only one region apparently is not up for it

I think this is extremely good news for Welsh rugby. Any news on who the hold out is? Presumably it is the Os.

Yeah. They have more income than the others because of SCFC/Liberty deals.

Blues takeover hinges on the CAP lease deal with Cardiff Athletic Club

[Tre]

Blues next - in the times today

Only one region apparently is not up for it

I think this is extremely good news for Welsh rugby. Any news on who the hold out is? Presumably it is the Os.

I'm more sceptical about it being good news. The WRU who organise Judgement Day, who let Gatland have 2 years off for Lions sabbaticals and have signed the dreadful coaching staff up on long term contracts and can't afford to sack them... selling pro 12 tickets is much more difficult than 6 Nations tickets.

Yeah. They have more income than the others because of SCFC/Liberty deals.

Blues takeover hinges on the CAP lease deal with Cardiff Athletic Club

[Numbers]

Any idea why they have signed Zane Kirschner when they desperately need some decent front row players?

[Sandydragon]

Any idea why they have signed Zane Kirschner when they desperately need some decent front row players?

Decent endough player, but with some promising youngsters in those positions already (when fit) I'd have preferred some strength up front.

[Tre]

Blues takeover is supposedly 'babysitting' PT's shares while a new investment/stadium development takes place. That one has a long way to go.

There are also some interesting developments in the takeover of the Dragons with some worries that it could spell the end of Newport RFC in any form.

[Sandydragon]

Blues takeover is supposedly 'babysitting' PT's shares while a new investment/stadium development takes place. That one has a long way to go.

There are also some interesting developments in the takeover of the Dragons with some worries that it could spell the end of Newport RFC in any form.

Aye the Cardiff one is intriguing; it could be long or short term according to the Fail report and I suspect that neither side understands how to play this one yet. Maybe the pie man is looking at concentrating on the facilities and running that, leaving the pro side to the WRU (in fairness I wouldn't blame any investor who did that).

The Newport RFC thing is news to me.

[ALunpg]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... t-12765018

How can anyone guarantee professional rugby anywhere for 10 years.Is there an alternative with the WRU takeover if no one else wants to invest.

I dont know the intricacies of this but hope this is political manoeuvres to put pressure on the WRU to seek a fairer agreement..does anyone else have further insight ?

[Ross. S]

I thought the same, if there was any way to guarantee the business would survive then why don't the current owners explore that?