rossie wrote: Just read headline again and it probably is a bit more dramatic than intended. Tried to remove "beyond repair" hopefully it works.

You need to edit your first post if you want to modify the thread subject....

I gotta disagree. While the welsh clubs have got rid of a number of big players it seems more to be a strategy to A. save money and B. Let their youth get a chance. Ospreys haven't done worse than when they had a rake of big names and Scarlet's have improved immeasurably. While they might be weak for a season or two these things are cyclical and the next Ryan Jones will come through and be a household name (on less money).

Just read headline again and it probably is a bit more dramatic than intended. Tried to remove "beyond repair" hopefully it works.

i obviously didnt get my point across very well salmson.

I was talking mainly about next year and onwards. If the welsh teams are largely acadamy/journey men based noone will pay to see them or sponsor competitions they are in. Also if they become feeder clubs for the aviva/ top 14 and team wales remain competitive in 6 nations/world cup the irfu might look at cuttng back on their expenditure in a similar manner down the line.
The league has only been won by irish and welsh teams to date even if we do have 5 teams in qtrs of hec. If they fall off that just leaves the irish teams.

But on a positive note(for connacht) it does sound like a good time to examine how we handle HEC qualification.It would make it a better competition for everyone involved.
Munster and Leinster can probably survive without the Pro12. Where would we be if it became irrelevent.
Dont get me wrong im a fan of the league as it currently stands but weaker welsh regions does weaken the competition unless something is done to increase relevence to participating clubs.

rossie wrote: With Welsh club rugby appearing to be in meltdown and all the best players leaving their regions to go to france and england is the pro 12 sustainable as a business model?

Is it in danger of becoming the spl of the rugby world?

Ah relax would you. Were they saying nasty things like "No relegation, tsk, wouldn't have that in the Aviva Premiership" on Rugby Club again (because no relegation makes for a sh1t league, ask the Super 15)?

The Welsh teams are the same as ever, Ospreys underdelivering, Scarlets nice to look at but short in the pack, Dragons struggling, Cardiff the only competitive side in Europe.

As for it being the SPL of the rugby world, I'm sure the SPL would love to have 5 teams in the last 8 of the European Cup.

With Welsh club rugby appearing to be in meltdown and all the best players leaving their regions to go to france and england is the pro 12 sustainable as a business model?

Is it in danger of becoming the spl of the rugby world?

Imo the league needs the welsh regions to be strong and competitive both in the league and hec if the league is to retain any credibility. The current crisis they are facing, while immensley damaging to them, doesnt help anyone and can be damaging to a growing club like connacht if it continues. As someone said recently if it continues the b+i cup will be a sterner test for the big two than the rabo will. Thats an exageration obviously but its a slippery slope that we find ourselves on and the relevece of the league is under threat.

This brings us to Hec Qualification. Wales are currently Guarenteed 3 places in the competition and have justified that to some extent over the years.imo that can no longer be the case if they cannot continue to be competitive on both fronts. The WRU have to be generating a similar amount of revenue to the irfu so this shouldnt be happening but thats their business. The qualification system for the hec from the Pro12 needs to be adjusted to acknowledge the changing status of the welsh regions.
I fully acknowledge that a straight forward league position qualification wouldnt be acceptable to any of the 4 unions but perhaps the top finishing team of each nation in pro12 should automatically qualify thus guarenteeing each union representation with the other 5 places available to the league decided on league position at the end of season also ensuring continued commitment to the league by each union.
Just a thought as we look to an uncertain future