TRENDING NEWS
Back to news
10 Feb, 2025
Share:
'Wales should be relegated for Six Nations disaster that raises three glaring questions'
@Source: dailystar.co.uk
Barry John must be turning in his grave. Not least because his beloved Wales have not won a game in the Six Nations since he sadly died. And that was now more than 12 months ago. In fact, Wales have not tasted victory in the competition for almost two years, since winning in Rome back in March 2023. Which begs not one, but three questions. How is Warren Gatland still head coach? Is there a more dysfunctional international sports team in the world than Wales? And how bad does it have to get for Wales to be chucked out of the Six Nations, and replaced with a team more worthy of a place in it than them? Like Georgia, perhaps, who Wales have now fallen below in the world rankings following another Six Nations defeat, in Rome, ironically. Just last month English RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney vowed to fight on, despite calls for his dismissal over a wages and bonuses scandal. But compared to the current Welsh RFU, England's governing body looks like a well-oiled machine, despite Sweeney continuing to get his palms greased. WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chairman Richard Collier were both in the Italian capital last weekend to watch Wales suffer their eighth Six Nations defeat in a row, and 14th on the spin in all competitions. Following the previous defeat to Italy in 2024, Gatland offered to resign, without taking compensation. But for reasons only she knows, Tierney rejected the chance to make a change and stood behind the Kiwi. Considering Tierney used to work as Director General of HM Passport Office, you'd have thought she'd know when the time is right to send someone packing. How do these people get into such positions of power and responsibility? Suggesting Wales should be replaced in the Six Nations might be a little tongue-in-cheek. Wales have produced some of the most iconic rugby players of all time, like Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, JJ Williams, Phil Bennett and John. While a trip to Cardiff to watch Wales take on England is one of the great privileges in sport. Former England manager Gareth Southgate even once admitted the Welsh national anthem was his favourite one. But Rugby Union, not football, is the national sport in Wales. That famous red shirt remains the ultimate honour. Yet Gatland, his players and those running the organisation are now betraying it, with the sort of calamitous chaos expected from a much lesser nation. The current plight is leaving a serious stain on the legacy left behind by those former players mentioned above. And that wooden spoon heading in Wales' direction once again, should be used to knock some sense into Tierney & Co. Is the Six Nations a closed shop? No matter how many beatings they take, do Wales have a divine right to still be in the competition just because of their proud history of the past? The Six Nations shareholders would be better served introducing relegation to the tournament. So the team that finishes bottom of the table can be replaced by the highest ranked European side not already in the competition. Introduce some jeopardy, and maybe then Wales would have no choice but to get their house in order.
For advertisement: 510-931-9107
Copyright © 2025 Usfijitimes. All Rights Reserved.