The Worthington's Mid District Cup Final will be contested between Bargoed RFC and Beddau RFC. This match will be staged at Sardis Road on Wednesday evening 22nd May kicking off at 7:15pm.

Admission to the ground will be priced at £5 with a £3 concession for senior citizens.

The Worthington's Mid District Plate Final will be contested between Brecon RFC and Dowlais RFC with Sardis Road again the venue on Saturday 25th May, kicking off at 2:30pm.

Admission to the ground will be priced at £3 with a £2 concession for senior citizens.

The Irish province sealed the win after coming from behind in both normal time and extra time in a match that provided drama in spades. In the end it was the flair of the Leinster backs that won them the game but Newcastle who played a more structured game came desperately close to lifting the Cup

With the game barely a minute old, Newcastle claimed their first points from penalty kick by outhalf Joel Hodgson. Falcons piled on the pressure and after a surge to the line by centre Alex Crockett, scrumhalf Rory Lawson was on hand to scramble over for a try converted by Hodgson.

Leinster replied positively and when Fionn Carr found a gap in the Falcons’ defence the ball was spun wide to centre Brendan Macken who picked the cleanest route to the line. Noel Reid adding the extras, leaving the Falcons with a 10-7 interval advantage.

In a cut and thrust second it was Macken who came nearest to scoring only for the centre to be tackled in the corner.

Then into injury time Reid’s long range effort earned Leinster the points that levelled the scores. The centre then tried a difficult kick from ten metres inside his own half which fell short leaving the sides locked at 10-10 at the end of normal time.

Then in the first period of extra time Carr scored an unconverted try before in the second extra half good running by the Falcons’ backs ended with Zach Kilbrige levelling the scores with a fine try, Hodgson’s conversion put them ahead.

But with time almost up, there was time for Reid to kick the winning penalty in the last minute of the game and give Leinster the win.

The match will be played at Newcastle's Kingston Park kicking off at 7:30pm.

Newcastle stormed through the qualifying stages with six wins out of six to top Pool Four. Leinster A edged out Pontypridd by just two bonus points in Pool Five, with both teams having won four, drawn one and lost one of their games.

Newcastle then progressed through the quarter and semi final stages with wins at home against Nottingham and away to Bedford, whilst Leinster won twice on the road at Bristol and at Munster.

Pontypridd, whilst focusing on their Premiership Play-Off Final the following day, might well keep an eye on the BIC final as the only team to have beaten Leinster A so far in this season's tournament.

After last weekend's outstanding performances in Glasgow which culminated in a 24-21 defeat to England in the third place play-off, Wales go into the final round in sixth position - just one point behind fifth-placed Kenya.

John will be keen not to replicate last year's finale at Twickenham where they arrived on the back of a successful Scottish tournament only to stumble in London where they failed to make the main knockout stages on day two. As a consequence they slipped to eight position in the overall series standings.

With a top five place at stake this weekend, Wales have called upon the vast experience of Richie Pugh along with Neath flying machine Dafydd Howells.

Former Wales Under 20 wing Iolo Evans also joins the squad along with Pontypridd's Owen Jenkins and Jersey's Nicky Griffiths.

Wales face New Zealand, who have an unassailable lead at the top of the points table, Canada and Kenya in their pool tomorrow.

Paul John's men bowed out at the semi-final stage against the Kiwis at the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s - but only after letting slip a 14-7 halftime lead. New Zealand will be missing dangermen Kurt Baker and Belgium Tuatagaloa through injury so Wales may be sniffing a chance of a rare victory against the men in black.

"The boys did really well last week in Scotland. Every one of them put in a huge performance. I couldn't fault the commitment and effort they put in. We were down to nine fit players in the last couple of games due to injuries.

"We've got a tough pool this weekend. New Zealand are series champions for a reason while Kenya and Canada both pose major threats. Canada made the quarter-finals of the main draw last week and they will be looking for revenge against us as we were fortunate enough to get through to the semis after a hard fought game.

"Hopefully the boys can finish the campaign on an encouraging note as we head towards the defence of our World Cup crwon."

Wales 7s squad for the Marriott London Sevens

Craig Price, James Davies, Adam Thomas (capt), Richie Pugh, Iolo Evans, Nicky Griffiths, Lee Williams, Alex Walker, Adam Warren, Owen Jenkins, Dafydd Howells, Chris Knight.

He follows in the footsteps of team mate Dafydd Lockyer who claimed the honour the previous season.

The Welsh Rugby Writers awards were nominated as follows:

• Player of the Year - Leigh Halfpenny
• Most Promising Player of the Year - Eli Walker
• Premiership Player of the Year - Chris Dicomidis

Not surprisingly, Leigh Halfpenny has been voted their Player of the Year by Welsh rugby writers. The Gowerton-born full-back enjoyed a most impressive Six Nations championship and this is the latest in a string of awards which are coming his way.

His was not quite a runaway victory because Justin Tipuric [Ospreys] found a great deal of support, as did Ryan Jones and Adam Jones [both Ospreys].

Leigh follows Dan Lydiate as holder of the award, with Sam Warburton, James Hook, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams among other recent winners.

Although out of action through injury for the later part of the season, Eli Walker [Ospreys] caught the eye of rugby writers to the extent that he was voted Most Promising Player. Runner-up here was Rhys Patchell [Blues], followed by Owen Williams [Scarlets]. Ashley Beck was the 2012 winner in this category, won in previous years by Toby Faletau and Ken Owens.

In the third ballot, Chris Dicomidis [Pontypridd] impressed writers with his consistency and was voted Player of the Principality Premiership, hotly challenged by Rhodri Williams [Llandovery]

Presentation of the trophies will be delayed until after the Lions’ tour of Australia and has been arranged to take place at Cardiff rugby club on Thursday 22^nd August. Guest speaker at the event, the 39^th annual Lloyd Lewis dinner, will be international coach and pundit Kingsley Jones.

He has been one of Pontypridd RFC's biggest supporters over the years. He's always been there at home games or away games with his family.

What you may not be aware of is that last year Kevin was diagnosed with cancer. As you can see from the photo, the club have kindly donated a signed shirt and his wife Karen and his two girls would like to thank all of you for your kindness, your generosity and your messages of support.

As a result of his illness, Kevin's mobility is becoming extremely restricted, and his family home will no longer meet his future requirements. At present, Kevin and his family are living at his mother's house (and enjoying the benefits of home cooking!)

Recently, a friend of the family and Kevin's mother applied to the BBC in an attempt to get the 'DIY SOS' team to visit Rhydyfelin to help renovate the family home, in order to meet his future needs. The team undertake seven visits per series and they have requested further information.

This is where you can all pitch in and support Kevin's application. Any messages of support would be greatly appreciated and could well help with a successful outcome.

If you would like to support this cause, please see the link below and use the email address to add your name to back Kevin's application:

www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow

In addition to this, there is a fund raising night being organised for Kevin on Thursday 16th May at the Griffin Pub in Rhydyfelin starting at 7.30pm, where there will many prizes on offer. For any further information, please check Karen McGrath's Facebook page.

Following the restructure, four Principality Premiership teams will now represent Wales in the competition, joining the twelve clubs of the RFU Championship as well as four from each of Ireland and Scotland. Selection of the Welsh teams will be based on regional play-offs at the start of next season, with final positions in this season’s Principality Premiership giving teams Home field advantage.

RFU Professional Rugby Director Rob Andrew commented:

“The British & Irish Cup organising committee agreed that the reduction in clubs would make for a more competitive league competition. The regional play-offs are a positive way of ensuring an appropriate regional spread combined with the best teams representing Wales in the competition, while the top four finishers in the Scottish domestic leagues will be automatically be included alongside the 12 Championship clubs.”

 WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon added:

“The British & Irish Cup is a fantastic competition and the restructure will give four Principality Premiership clubs every chance of being highly competitive. It will again give Premiership and select Regional players the opportunity to play in this cross-border tournament which is not only a great way to develop player talent but also an opportunity for the respective clubs to grow and test themselves.

“We firmly believe that the system of regionally based play-offs determining participation in the British & Irish Cup is the fairest way of selecting the best teams to represent Wales while reflecting the geography of Welsh semi-professional and professional rugby.

“Our clubs have more than held their own in this competition which sees them compete with full time, professional clubs and provinces, with Cross Keys reaching last season’s final, Pontypridd reaching last year’s semi-final and Llanelli reaching the quarters on three occasions.

“We are confident that this move will enhance our competitiveness in the British & Irish Cup and we look forward to some thrilling encounters in the battle for places come September.”

2013-14 British & Irish Cup structure

Teams
* 12 RFU Championship clubs
* 4 Welsh Principality Premiership clubs
* 4 Irish provinces – Connacht, Munster, Leinster and Ulster
* 4 Scottish teams - top 4 finishers in RBS Premier Division: Ayr, Gala, Stirling County and Edinburgh Academicals.

Pool Stages
* 6 pools of 4 playing home and away
* 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for a) scoring 4 or more tries and/or b) losing by 7 points or less

Quarter finals
* top side in each pool progress to knockout stage, including two best runners-up
* 8 quarter-finalists ranked with teams ranked 1-4 having home advantage

Semi-finals and final
* four winning quarter finalists progress to semi -final draw
* winning semi-finalists progress to final

The club has pledged to support Fresh Start Wales, the Welsh Government campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke to children when travelling in cars. The players showed their support by inviting Patch, the Fresh Start Wales dragon, to take part in one of their training sessions.

The Fresh Start Wales campaign aims to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke by raising awareness of the associated dangers it poses. Second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and much of cigarette smoke is invisible and has no smell, which makes it harder to detect the danger. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of smoking and, with no escape from second-hand smoke, are more likely to develop long term conditions such as asthma at an early age.

Emma Rogers, commercial and marketing manager at Pontypridd RFC, said: “We are pleased to support the Fresh Start Wales campaign. Our club is very family orientated and we are keen to get this message out to our supporters, as many of them travel by car to watch our matches with their children.

“As a sports club, it’s important to us that we protect vulnerable children from the harm that second-hand smoke can cause, particularly as many of the illnesses associated with smoking, such as asthma, can affect children’s ability to play and enjoy sports. We would encourage any clubs that want to help their members and create a more family-friendly environment to get on board with the campaign and promote the message.”

Sportsmen in particular should be aware of the effects that smoking has on their bodies. The main impact is the decrease in lung function, reducing the body’s intake of oxygen which is essential for muscle function especially when more is demanded of them. This in turn leads to a greater chance of injury. Lack of oxygen can also cause athletes to make poor decisions on the field or even become dizzy and faint.

Fresh Start Wales has now launched its new Fresh Start Packs, containing information and resources on how smokers can protect their families from the harm second-hand smoke causes and practical tools for those choosing to make a complete fresh start by giving up smoking altogether. The packs contain a help and support leaflet for those looking to give up smoking completely, as well as a Fresh Start manual, journey map and stickers, health and wealth wheel to demonstrate the physical and fiscal benefits of giving up smoking, car sticker, money box, tangle toy and a ‘Recipe for a Cigarette’ card.

To find out more about Fresh Start Wales and request a Fresh Start Pack, please visit the website at www.freshstartwales.co.uk

Six Nations captain Ellis Jenkins will again lead the Wales squad.

Eight of the players featured in Wales' Junior World Championship campaign last season, which included a first win over New Zealand at that level and culminated in finishing third.

Wales under 20 coach Danny Wilson said: "A number of our players involved with their regions came back into our squad during the Six Nations and played their part in the tournament, training and playing with the rest of the group so we feel we are a more solid group this season.

"The players that are coming into the squad, Rhys Patchell and Thomas Davies, will add significant strength with Rhys having been a first-choice player with the Blues this season.

"It's an experienced group in terms of under-20 rugby and some players have had a significant amount of regional rugby too.

"So on paper it's a good squad, but it's going to need to be because we have a tough group with Samoa, Scotland and Argentina.

"Argentina won all their Pool games last year, beating France, Australia and Scotland and losing to eventual winners South Africa in the semis, and have just beaten South Africa 2-1 in a Test series.

"Samoa and Scotland will be very difficult matches too so we will have to hit form to compete with and beat all those sides in order to qualify for the semis.

"That will be our aim - to reach the semis again and anything can happen from that point."

WALES UNDER-20 SQUAD

Forwards: Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), Gareth Thomas (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Tom Davies (Blues /Cardiff), Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), Elliot Dee (Dragons / Bedwas), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets / Carmarthen), Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys / Swansea), Ieuan Jones (Dragons / Newport), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), Sion Bennett (Scarlets / Carmarthen), James Benjamin (Dragons/ Bedwas).

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets / Llandovery), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), Rhys Patchell (Blues / Cardiff), Sam Davies (Ospreys / Swansea), Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli), Jack Dixon (Dragons / Bedwas), Thomas Pascoe (Blues / Pontypridd), Harry Robinson (Blues / Cardiff), Aaron Warren (Llandovery), Ashley Evans (Ospreys / Bridgend), Jordan Williams (Scarlets / Llanelli), Hallam Amos (Dragons / Bedwas).

Wales' JWC fixtures:

5 June, Nantes (17:00 BST): Wales v Samoa

9 June, Nantes (16:00 BST): Wales v Scotland

13 June, La Roche sur Yon: Wales v Argentina (16:45 BST)

Play-Off rounds: 18 June, 23 June

It took a try from winger Ronan O’Mahony deep into stoppage time against Cornish Pirates for Munster to set up the all-Irish tie and keep their interest in the competition alive. In winning 10 points to 9, Munster exacted revenge for their loss to the Pirates in the 2010 inaugural B&I Cup final.

Leinster had to call on all their reserves to see off Bristol at the Memorial Stadium and book their place in the last four.

Tries from Andrew Conway, Andrew Goodman, James Tracy and Fionn Carr in addition to 10 points from the boot of Noel Reid helped them to a 30-26 victory.

Munster won both Inter Province ‘A’ team games between the sides this season and beat their rivals 36-29 at the Royal Dublin Society Ground in last year’s semi-final.

The following day Bedford Blues take on Newcastle Falcons in an all-English affair at Goldington Road, KO 3.00pm.

Two tries from prolific Wasps-bound winger Josh Bassett inspired a Blues comeback in their quarter-final tie against Llanelli.

Early tries from Kristian Phillips and Nic Reynolds had seen the west Walians take control and a two-point lead into the interval.

But the Blues scored the first points of the second half through the boot of Jake Sharp and never looked back.

In addition to Bassett’s second try, Sharp went on to kick a total of 22 points in a 32-18 win that keeps the Blues on course to go one better than 2011 when they finished runners-up to Bristol.

To maintain their interest, though, they need to beat a Newcastle side that will be bristling with intent following their first defeat of the season.

Bidding to finish the season unbeaten in both league and cup, the Falcons concluded the regular Championship campaign with a disappointing 19-14 home reverse at the hands of Bristol.

The Falcons had won all 29 matches up to that point including a double over the Blues who they have avoided in the RFU Championship semi-final draw.

A last gasp try from debutant Noah Cato and a pressure kick from Jimmy Gopperth sealed a dramatic victory for Newcastle the last time the sides met at Kingston Park on March 8.

British & Irish Cup semi-finals

Leinster 'A' vs Munster 'A', Friday April 26, KO 7:30pm

Bedford Blues vs Newcastle Falcons, Saturday April 27, KO 3pm

GTFM is by far the top radio listening choice in Pontypridd (CF37 postcode area) and shares the ‘top spot’ with BBC Radio 1 in surrounding parts of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough, according to independent research published today.

When asked to identify stations they’d listened to in the past seven days, 43% of radio listeners in Pontypridd said ‘GTFM’, comparing well with Radio 1’s 26%; Real Radio’s 25%; Radio 2’s 23% and Capital FM’s 21%.

Meanwhile across GTFM’s wider Rhondda Cynon Taff County broadcast area it reaches 28% of all radio listeners in an average week, the same as Radio 1 and ahead of Real Radio and Radio 2 both with 22%; and Capital FM with 19%.

“This is marvellous news for GTFM and a fantastic vote of confidence from local people for our brilliant team of highly professional volunteers” said GTFM’s Station Manager, Terry Mann.

“We are often asked for audience figures by prospective advertisers, so we’re enormously grateful to Russell Todd at WCVA for commissioning this survey by Jon Matthews at ‘Funding Eye’. We also appreciate the assistance of the local people who took part and Media Students from Coleg Morgannwg and the University of South Wales who carried out the ‘in-the-street’ interviews, often in freezing conditions during February and March 2013”.

The inaugural WRU National Sevens competition will be held at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday August 25th 2013.

It will involve teams from all 12 semi-professional Principality Premiership clubs, the two top SWALEC Championship teams from season 2012/13, RGC 1404 and the Wales Students sevens team.

The new tournament is being heralded as a showcase for the sevens game in Wales which will help boost support and participation in the seven a side game.

Wales are the current Rugby World Cup Sevens champions - they will defend their title at the 2013 RWC Sevens in Moscow in June - and sevens is due to feature at the next Olympic Games in Rio along with the existing Commonwealth Games involvement.

The WRU National Sevens competition will be an annual event in the Welsh rugby calendar and will substantial prize money.

It will feature a cup and plate competition with the first round losers taking part in the second tier tournament.

The WRU National Sevens will revive a showcase sevens competition for Wales which last existed in the 1990s with the Snelling Sevens.

That competition was in place from 1954 to 1995 and attracted huge crowds at its peak when it was hosted at Cardiff Arms Park.

The WRU Head of Rugby, Joe Lydon, said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this important new competition which will showcase the sevens game at a time when it is growing in popularity.

"The success of the HSBC Sevens World Series and the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games has attracted a new wave of interest and the time is right for supporters in Wales to get to see the game played by some of our best players.

"Many of the Wales Sevens squad are Premiership players and they regularly face the best teams in the world game.

"Sevens is an area of rugby where some of our most skilful players can develop their talents and create some incredible plays.

"You only have to look at our current senior international squad to see how important sevens is for player development.

"The likes of Alex Cuthbert, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Jamie Roberts and Aaron Shingler have all benefitted from international sevens as a key part of their rugby development.

"Many Welsh rugby fans will remember the days of the Snelling Sevens and this new competition will offer them the chance to enjoy some great summer rugby once more here in Wales."

Current title holders Munster ‘A’ ensured their semi-final spot with the narrowest of victories over Cornish Pirates, who claimed the trophy in 2010 with a win over the Irishmen. In a tense encounter at The Mennaye Field, Munster ‘A’ produced the only tries of the fixture, courtesy of Danny Barnes and Ronan O’Mahony. The home side’s nine points came off the boot of Aaron Penberthy, with the game finishing 9-10 in what proved to be a successful weekend for the Irish province.  

From across the Emerald Isle, Leinster ‘A’ achieved their spot in the final four with a closely contested victory over RFU Championship side Bristol Rugby, ending 26-30. With just a single point between the sides at half-time, the visitors conceded two scores in the second half to end their Cup run. Despite scores from Mariano Sambucetti and Ross Johnson, Bristol were unable to undo the deficit and with Fionn Carr crossing the line for Leinster, the Dublin side pushed into the final four.

Newcastle and Bedford will represent England’s second tier, following comprehensive victories by both home teams this weekend. Newcastle showed the greatest margin, holding off fellow promotion hopefuls Nottingham to a huge 72-17 victory at Kingston Park. Three tries in the space of eight minutes from the Falcons set the tone for clash on Friday night, followed by six more scores after the break against a young Nottingham outfit. The victory sees Newcastle continue their winning streak to 27, yet to drop a single game in either the league or Cup this season.

Finally, Bedford Blues complete the semi-final line-up for the second time, having reached the 2011 British & Irish Cup final, only to lose out to Bristol Rugby. The Blues beat Llanelli RFC 32-18 at Goldington Road, with fly-half Jake Sharp claiming 22 of the points, in addition to two tries from London Wasps bound wing Josh Bassett. Despite strong competition from the Welsh Principality side, Llanelli were unable to close the gap leaving the RFU Championship side on the road to a semi-final place.

British & Irish Cup semi-finals, w/e April 27and 28.

SF1: Bedford Blues vs Newcastle Falcons
SF2: Munster ‘A’ vs Leinster ‘A’

The final will be played at the home venue of SF1.

It has taken the departure of a box-office star – George North – to trigger the latest breakdown of what has always been a Balkan peace between these two parties.

But box-office star or not, this latest dust-up among the grey suits must surely be causing eyelids to droop by now among an increasingly exasperated Welsh rugby public.

Ten regional bigwigs sat at the top table of a Cardiff Arms Park press conference called to address the acidic statements released by the WRU last weekend concerning North’s impending exit, as well as the governing body’s call for a summit meeting to address the issue of central contracts.

There was a lengthy prepared statement read out by Regional Rugby Wales chairman Stuart Gallacher, a question and answer session for the media followed by further opportunities to speak ‘one-to-one’ with the key movers and shakers.

As the psychiatrist in Fawlty Towers observed as he sidestepped a prone Basil on the landing of the famous Torquay hotel, there was enough material there for an entire conference.

A range of grievances were aired, and at several junctures you sensed Gallacher and his colleagues were choosing to bite their tongues rather than let rip with the full extent of their thoughts.

This is, of course, a battle for power between the WRU and the regions, and power lies in the control of the players.

But the crux of the regions’ complaint yesterday was their contention that the WRU is now sidelining the Professional Regional Game Board (PRGB), established to much fanfare last November as the new body capable of beginning to cure the well-documented ills in the Welsh game.

It’s a dry, political subject for supporters to get their heads around, but to simplify the issue, the board was created because of a recommendation in the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) report into the state of the game.

The idea was that it would examine key issues like central contracts, details of funding, and how star players could be kept in Wales.

“The formation of the new Professional Regional Game Board is a landmark moment in the history of Welsh rugby,” said WRU chief executive Roger Lewis four months ago.

“By working together, we will create a unity of purpose for Welsh professional rugby.”

Scarlets chief executive Mark Davies concurred at the time, saying: “This is the first step towards securing a healthy future for the professional game in Wales.”

The board was to be nine-strong, with four WRU representatives, four from the regions and, critically, an independent chairman in Mr Justice Wyn Williams.

A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed, and the whole business was incorporated into the already agreed Participation Agreement between both sides, which underpins how Welsh-based players divide their time between region and country.

Peace in our time then – or at least that’s what we were being led to believe.

But the PRGB has met just once, on December 17, and the regions claim that the WRU has since insisted that the chairman no longer has the power of the casting vote.

It’s a situation they see as unacceptable, Gallacher yesterday stressing that the regions have full confidence in Mr Justice Williams to put the greater good first were his casting vote ever required.

“It creates the impression something has changed, it’s non-democratic,” said Gallacher.

“We want to rely on judgement of the independent chairman, we have confidence he will act with logic and integrity for the benefit of all.”

See what I mean about dry?

Blues chairman Peter Thomas, however, did add a bit of colour to the above point by saying: “I’ve chaired many companies in my time but I’ve never been on a board where the chairman doesn’t have a vote.

“Ask yourself the question: why don’t they (the WRU) want that person to have a vote when initially they signed up to it.

“And this is an honourable person, he’s a judge.”

The central contracts issue was also given short shrift by all four corners yesterday, even though the North situation and the continuing loss of top Welsh stars to France and England has put it at the centre of discussion among fans.

Instead of viewing the matter as a potential game-changer, something that could go most of the way to solving the player drain, Gallacher and his cohorts see central contracts as just one part of a much bigger picture. They claim that the WRU is using them to divert the public’s attention and that the PWC report itself stated that they could not be a cure for the problems in the Welsh game.

At one stage Ospreys chief Andrew Hore dismissed the suggestion that central contracts could work in Wales in the way they do in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, saying each country’s situation was different and that a ‘Welsh solution to a Welsh problem’ was required.

Gallacher also pointed out that, geographically, those nations are not at the mercy of the sort of aggressive market that exists among the cash-rich clubs of northern Europe

The WRU’s invitation of a summit to discuss central contracts led us back to what was a recurring theme – the regions will only consider discussing that subject, along with everything else, through the PRGB.

Gallacher used the word ‘bewildered’ at one stage, with several of his colleagues later saying they had spent time in the company of Lewis at the Millennium Stadium Judgement Day event on Saturday, when there had been no indication from him or anyone else involved with the WRU that an incendiary press statement was imminent.

Where it all goes from here is, frankly, anyone’s guess.

The regions have challenged the union to agree to an independent arbitrator being brought in to assess why the PRGB has been stalled.

The WRU’s response last night was a somewhat short pledge to outline a strategy for the future of the game in Wales, followed by a plea to the regions ‘for the third time’ to enter into discussions about it.

It would be no surprise if something more detailed followed soon after Lewis and his executive team have had time to digest yesterday’s proceedings, but there was no mention in the governing body’s statement of the PRGB, so you have to wonder whether it will simply end up being run through the shredders at the Arms Park, Liberty Stadium, Rodney Parade and Parc y Scarlets.

Conspiracy theories abound.

“All we have done here is produce the facts,” said Gallacher.

“We are very confident in what we are saying because it is the absolute truth.

“This is not about individuals it’s about getting together to sort things out.”

Doubtless the WRU would say the same about their own position.

So what situation are we in three weeks after winning the Six Nations title?

Well, as one of the showpiece weekends of the European calendar – the Heineken Cup quarter-finals – is played out, Welsh rugby is busy playing politics, and getting nowhere fast in the process.

Some things never change.

Delme Parfitt

walesonline

It has been another tumultuous weekend for Welsh rugby off the field which has seen the regions and the WRU again at loggerheads.

The impending transfer of Scarlets wing George North to Northampton was the central factor in the latest dispute.

Now the Union have acted by imploring representatives from the Blues, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets to meet with the governing body to discuss ways of how they can stop top talent like North leaving Wales with central contracts at the top of the agenda.

The Union had claimed in an explosive statement on Sunday they had first tabled an offer to discuss centrally contracting Welsh qualified regional players in August last year but had no meaningful response from the regions.

The WRU say they revisited the issue after details of North’s transfer emerged and agreed to consider assisting in a financial model to retain the wing in Wales with one of the four regions, which the Western Mail understands was the Blues.

But the Union stated it had discovered the regions signed an agreement which stopped any of them playing an individual who is centrally contracted to the WRU. Now it wants the regions to reconsider.

A WRU statement read: “The WRU invites representatives from each of the four regional organisations to a meeting at the Millennium Stadium to discuss the contracting centrally of key Welsh rugby talent.

“The WRU asks the four regional organisations to put aside their agreement not to play centrally contracted players and work with the Union to help secure the future of our young players in Wales.

“The WRU will table, in advance of the meeting, a range of detailed options to be discussed, in addition to those already proposed, so that the four regional organisations are fully prepared to take part in a meaningful debate.

“The WRU would also welcome suggestions from the four regional organisations on how best a centrally contracted player system would work to help safeguard Welsh rugby.

“We will be formally writing to the four regional organisations this morning, Tuesday, April 2.”

The simmering tensions between the WRU and regions erupted on Sunday following an astonishing series of exchanges sparked by North’s proposed move to Northampton.

The WRU issued a strongly-worded statement, of which the most startling content was an accusation the Scarlets had looked to cash in on one of their key assets by touting North to clubs in France last year – without the Wales wing’s knowledge.

The WRU claim North was only informed of those discussions over his transfer at the start of the Six Nations in February. The 20-year-old has a year remaining on his current contract at Parc y Scarlets, but appears set for a summer move to Aviva Premiership side Northampton for a fee reportedly in the range of £250,000, having rejected the prospect of a move across the Channel.

The WRU also claimed they were prepared to provide the backing to keep North in Wales by tying him to a central contract, only to later discover the regions had an agreement in place not to field any player contracted to the union.

But the Scarlets rubbished those suggestions in their own statement and asserted that far from actively seeking to offload North, they have done all they can to retain his services.

In a separate section of its wide-ranging WRU statement, the governing body also laid the blame for the delay in establishing a Professional Regional Game Board firmly at the door of the regions. The move to set up the board came in the wake of a critical independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers into the finances and management of the regions.

The WRU said the hold-up was due to the regions altering their interpretation of the agreement to form the PRGB, but Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) – the body which represents the regions – rejected this claim out of hand.

Meanwhile, former Wales lock and agent Derwyn Jones has warned fellow star players could find themselves following North out of Wales if this impasse remains unresolved. With up to 70% of Wales’ Six Nations stars out of contract at the end of next season Jones insists a resolution must be found soon.

“At the moment there is no agreement with the regions and the Union and we are now in April,” said Jones. “A lot of Welsh players are out of contract for the 2014/15 season .

“Unless this is resolved in four months players will be thinking about their options for when they are out of contract and it will be too late. Players will already be looking at where they want to play and from what I see players don’t feel settled.

“Unless the regions and the WRU work out a pathway and can work together a lot of these players could go. You have to understand players make decision early if they want to leave. Even if you can’t physically sign a contract until a certain date, players make their mind up before anyway.

“Players are concerned because they are not sure which direction we are going in. If we let this run until September it will be too late to keep some players in Wales. They have to have a meeting and see if they can work together. The key problem is no-one is working together and we need to put personal agendas aside.

“There are a lot of people who need to come to the party, discuss things and work together. Everyone is working individually at the moment and there is no collective forum to sit down and discuss these things.

“If things are going the way I think are going I am unsure whether there will be a regional game. So we need to find a solution.”

Jones has insisted North has found himself in an untenable situation.

“The players are being used like pawns at the moment,” added Jones. “There should be no criticism of George or his agent because he still has a year of his contract left to run and I understand they have exhausted all options. But it is crazy we could be losing one of the best backs in the UK who is a box office attraction for Welsh regional rugby. Especially when he does not want to go.”

Well, the feelgood factor didn’t last that long did it! There was always a suspicion that Wales’ Six Nations title triumph was papering over some of the cracks at regional level.

But we perhaps didn’t expect those cracks to be exposed so soon and so graphically.

In fact, it’s taken little more than a fortnight for them to be laid bare, revealing the full extent of the schism within Welsh rugby.

The catalyst, of course, has been the case of George North and his impending move to Northampton.

When the news broke that the Scarlets were ready to sell the Wales wing to the Saints, it opened up a huge can of worms.

We’ve seen plenty of star players move on to French and English clubs in recent times, with Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, James Hook, Luke Charteris and Paul James heading for pastures new, with Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate set to follow suit.

But those are all players who were out of contract. North is a different case. He still has a year to run on his deal with the Scarlets, yet they have decided to let him go, picking up a transfer fee of up to £250,000 in the process.

That really set the alarm bells ringing and provoked criticism both of the Scarlets for selling him and of the WRU for not doing enough to stop the player-drain.

This in turn has seen the various factions break their silence on the issue, leading to a series of claims and counter-claims over the weekend.

Regional Rugby Wales chief executive Stuart Gallacher set the ball rolling on Saturday morning by revealing the Scarlets had offered North the best contract extension offer they could muster and that he had turned it down.

But then on Sunday, the WRU responded with their own explosive take on the situation. They claimed the Scarlets had in fact began talks to sell North before telling the player.

Their statement read: “The WRU is aware the Scarlets opened discussions to transfer the player with clubs outside Wales and the UK late in 2012.

“George North informed the WRU shortly after the Wales v Ireland RBS Six Nations international on February 2, 2013, that he had then been told of the transfer proposal.

“George refused to consider France, but reluctantly conceded he would be prepared to move if the Scarlets wished.”

All of a sudden, this cast a new, very public light on things.

And there were further eye-opening revelations in the WRU statement.

They said they had responded to the Scarlets’ actions by attempting to broker a deal that would have kept the 20-year-old winger in Wales, at another region.

“The WRU revisited the issue of George North and agreed to consider assisting in a financial model to retain him in Wales with one of the four regions,” it reads.

I understand that team was the Cardiff Blues and that the WRU proposed a dual contract where they would provide a top-up fee to supplement wages paid to the player by the Blues.

That would have created the tantalising prospect of the Wales back three of North, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert lining up together at the Arms Park.

But, in the end, the discussions didn’t come to anything, leaving North almost certain to join Northampton.

And now the union have dropped a further bombshell with a claim about the regions’ stance on the issue of central contracts.

“In recent days the WRU has discovered that the regions signed an agreement which precludes any of them playing an individual who is centrally contracted to the union,” the statement read.

“The WRU urges all four regions to abandon this stance and return to the negotiating table.”

The statement also calls on the regions to “abandon the practice of selling Welsh-qualified senior players for profit before their contracts are concluded.”

It was dynamite stuff and certainly livened up my Sunday morning!

Almost inevitably, counter-statements followed last night, from both Regional Rugby Wales and the Scarlets, outlining their side of things.

The RRW said: “The four Welsh regions are united in expressing how staggered and bitterly disappointed they all are with the nature, intent and content of the public statement made by the WRU this morning on a number of issues affecting Welsh rugby.

“As the governing body that should lead and set the standards and platform for the profile of the game in Wales, the regions are surprised at the WRU’s seemingly defensive reaction to some of the media reporting particularly given the success of yesterday’s Welsh derby double-header.

“As a celebration of regional rugby that attracted close to 37,000 supporters of our game, it was a clear example of the benefits of a partnership approach between the four regions to create fresh opportunities to promote the regional game in Wales and enjoyed by both regional players and spectators.

“There are a number of significant comments made within the WRU statement, that the four regions will now need to consider very seriously and with the appropriate amount of time and discussion before making a full and united response.

“The Professional Regional Game Board (PRGB) was proposed to ensure that Welsh rugby had a joint collaborative body, with an independent chairman, with the remit and authority to find solutions for some of the issues affecting Welsh rugby.

“Had the PRGB been implemented as originally agreed by the WRU, it would be addressing the exact issues that it has now raised in its statement, including the important objective of how best to retain Welsh players like George North.

“The four regions and WRU signed and agreed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2012 that outlined the creation of the PRGB. On the basis of this agreement, the PRGB met once on December 17, 2012.

“The regions have not changed or altered in any way their interpretation, understanding, intent or commitment to the agreements reached since the first proposals were made in May 2012.

“The only queries raised subsequently, which have affected the establishment of the PRGB and the memorandum of understanding signed by all five parties, have been made by the WRU which has in turn delayed the process.

“The four Welsh regions have been committed and open in providing full and detailed information for the PwC report and its recommendations and have been consistent in their aims to work in partnership for successful establishment of the PRGB.”

All you can say, is it’s a sad and sorry mess.

PRGB

The proposal to create a Professional Regional Game Board was developed during discussions following an independent report which concluded that the Regions needed to improve their business management and explore collaborative solutions.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by all four Regions and the WRU late in 2012 agreeing terms for the creation of the PRGB, its remit, who should be its members and its independent Chairman.

Early in 2013 the Regions sought to interpret the memorandum of understanding in a manner which was unacceptable to the WRU.

On Tuesday March 26, in a desire to move matters forward, the WRU presented a new proposal for a PRGB and awaits a response from the Regions.

It is important to note that the WRU seeks to help the regions create long term rugby and business sustainability. Demands for more money do not address the fundamental problems.

The WRU urges the regions to work together with the WRU to ensure that a PRGB can become operational in order to help address the issues raised in the PwC report.

JUDGEMENT DAY

The WRU organised, marketed and managed the event within its stated aim of helping the Regions achieve greater visibility and attract more and new supporters. This initiative was first proposed to the Regions by the WRU in 2007.

The WRU guarantees significant match fees to the Blues and Dragons as this day replaces their scheduled home fixtures.

The WRU has underwritten the event for four years with financial guarantees.

The WRU has also proposed further, major events involving the four Regions at the Millennium Stadium.

Judgement Day has proved a remarkable success with 36, 174 people attending to watch a celebration of regional rugby which has raised the profile of the elite game in Wales.

PLAYER TRANSFERS

The WRU accepts that some elite players will inevitably seek to leave Wales to achieve contractual incomes which are beyond the capacity of the current game in Wales.

The WRU has developed an elite pathway structure which nurtures talent through the WRU age grade structure, the WRU academies, the WRU funded regional age grade competitions, the Principality Premiership Division and its WRU resourced community game.

The WRU funds the Regions to secure the release of those elite contracted players with an annual sum in excess of £6million. This £6 million is part of the £15 million distributed to the Regions annually by the WRU.

The WRU has created a powerful elite playing and training environment through its National Centre of Excellence. The WRU urges the Regions to abandon the practice of selling Welsh qualified senior players for profit before their contracts are concluded.

The WRU further urges all four Regions to inform other regions and the WRU, as a first priority, when they are seeking to sell or release any elite Welsh qualified player.

GEORGE NORTH

The WRU is aware that the Scarlets opened discussions to transfer the player with clubs outside Wales and the UK late in 2012.

George North informed the WRU shortly after the Wales v Ireland RBS 6 Nations international on February 2 2013 that he had then been told of the transfer proposal.

George refused to consider France, but reluctantly conceded he would be prepared to move if the Scarlets wished.

CENTRAL CONTRACTS

The WRU first tabled an offer to discuss centrally contracting Welsh qualified regional players in August 2012 and has renewed that proposal. No meaningful response from the Regions has been received by the WRU.

The WRU revisited the issue of George North and agreed to consider assisting in a financial model to retain him in Wales with one of the four Regions.

The WRU has recently discovered that the Regions signed an agreement which precludes any of them playing an individual who is centrally contracted to the Union.

The WRU urges all four Regions to abandon this stance and return to the negotiating table.

The creation of the Professional Regional Game Board was announced last December and trumpeted as a new professional body created to strengthen and develop professional rugby in Wales.

It was established by the WRU, Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons, following an independent review into the regional game that highlighted deep financial concerns amid a backdrop of top Welsh talent leaving for big-money deals in France and England.

But four months on the organisation has yet to be fully formed and has only met on one occasion.

And Ospreys chief Andrew Hore has admitted the public have a right to know why the new board is still not meeting regularly.

“I don’t believe the legals have been finalised and there are issues around what it can and can’t cover and that has to be resolved,” said Hore.

“Things still need to be converted into a document.

“The public would be right to ask questions why we aren’t meeting regularly.

“I hope this issue can be resolved but you’re best asking the powers that be about that.

“I hope that it occurs and that we can get underway and have those kinds of debates.

“Those debates are healthy, but they’re not being had at the moment and it’s what the board should have been developed for.

“We are here and wanting to meet to resolve these situations.

“We have been positive and upbeat about the formation of PRGB and the positive impact it can have on the Welsh rugby landscape.

“But it needs to ensure it’s not just a talking shop that can’t instigate change.

“I am positive about the future of Welsh rugby if we can get together a group who can confront part of the burning platform that is on fire.

“There are so many issues to be addressed and if they can there is no reason why the sport can’t be vibrant because there is a basis to build on.

“Regional rugby has not been a failure because it has produced trophies and increased the amount of people in our stadiums. We need to build on this and make sure things are not eroded because the foundations are creaking and under stress.”

A WRU spokesman said: “We welcome Andrew Hore’s comments and encourage him to bring them into the appropriate forum of the management board. This was established for discussion between the regions and the WRU, so that collectively we can work to take this forward for the future of Welsh rugby.”

The lock guided theSardis Road side to home wins over Llandovery and Newport and an away victory over Bridgend, helping the champions to consolidate their position at the top of the Principality Premiership table.

An ever-present member of the Ponty side for the majority of the past decade, Dicomidis has caught the attentions of watching opposition coaches and knowledgeable observers alike in earning the sponsor’s accolade.

“I’m pleased with how I’ve been playing, since Christmas in particular and scored a couple of tries in February which is always nice,” he said.

“I have a great team and group of boys around me. On the field there are 14 other leaders and the coaching team has been consistently superb with Chief (Dale McIntosh), Johnsey (Paul John) and now Gareth Wyatt having stepped into a management role.

“All three have great experience within the game and the whole club really is like a close family unit.”

Pontypridd beat Llanelli to win the Principality Premiership Play-Off final last year after losing in the final the previous year and Dicomidis says the club is desperate to hold onto the title.

“We took a while to get to the top of the table, but now that we’re there we want to stay there.

The Welsh led 19-0 at the interval thanks to tries by Cory Allen (2) and Alex Webber, Rhys Jones converting two.

But a hat-trick of touchdowns by substitute Osea Kolinisau, a fourth by Samisoni Viriviri, and three conversions by Emosi Mulevoro sawFijicomplete a startling comeback.

It was Fiji's second victory of the 2013 IRB sevens series.

But there was controversy when Fiji's Ilai Tinai was yellow-carded for a tip-tackle on Lee Williams in the first half - an offence normally punished by a red card.

Wales reached their first-ever Hong Kong final thanks to an emphatic 19-0 win over Kenya in the semi final, with tries from Lee Williams, Craig Price and Sam Cross, with Rhys Jones adding two conversions.

Earlier they had beaten Canada 28-14 in the quarter final, twice coming from behind with tries from Craig Price, Adam Thomas, Alex Webber and Cory Allen, all converted by Rhys Jones.

In the group stage,Walesedged 19-14 victories over both Australia and Argentina.

The Welsh squad dedicated their final appearance to their team-mate Ifan Evans, whose career has been cut short by a serious neck injury.

The 29-year-old admitted it was a struggle to hold back the tears when the Welsh players sang the national anthem before the final with his name 'IFAN' written on all of their wrists.

"That was tough," said the 29-year-old from Aberystwyth. "I didn't know they were going to do that so it took me by surprise. I had tears in my eyes - that gesture meant everything to me."

New Zealandwon the third-place final, beating Kenya 36-5. Samoa won the Plate thanks to a 12-7 win over Canada, while England were 42-7 victors over Hong Kong in the Bowl final.