Will a Welsh region ever win the European Champions’ Cup?

Will a Welsh region ever win the European Champions’ Cup?

 

With the European finals in Edinburgh over the weekend again devoid of Welsh participation will one of the Welsh regions ever be good enough to win the European Champions’ Cup? In this season the Cardiff Blues and Dragons performed fitfully, and the Ospreys, despite a record breaking run in the group stage fell apart in the quarter final. The Scarlets, Wales’ sole representatives in the Champions’ Cup, recorded a notable victory over Toulon; otherwise they performed bravely but were ultimately outgunned rather than outclassed. Not since 2010 has a Welsh side won a European competition.

Each of the Welsh regions is populated by quality players, are there sufficient of them to sustain a tough European campaign as well as competing in a lengthy Pro12 season? The epithet ‘You can only control the controllable’ is most apt here, and that means that each regional team must have a strong enough squad to deal with the inevitable injuries, international calls and loss of form. The ability to recruit and retain a squad of high quality players brutally comes down to money. The Saracens bestride the European game at the moment and their financial power is amply illustrated by how they were able to replace the injured lock Kruis with the temporary signing of the giant  Australian international Will Skelton, this in addition to other high profile signings, the retention of highly paid players and the owner’s apparent willingness to underwrite significant losses for a period of time has brought great success domestically and now in  Europe. This appears to be the ethos and approach needed to win the tournament.

Munster and Leinster have this season regained their European credibility helped by huge crowds, big squads and the largesse of the IRFU. Clermont stand out in France for their integrity, boisterous loyal supporters and being able to employ 51 players so far this season has enabled them to battle successfully on two fronts. It has certainly worked and despite a huge injury list they are second in the Top14 and European cup finalists on Saturday. None of the Welsh regions compares in terms of player depth, funds or crowds to these teams.

The regions also suffer from being unable to attract high quality coaches and those currently plying their trade in Wales do not at present have the record to stand up to the scrutiny needed to win a European competition. The exception being the work of Wayne Pivac and his staff at the Scarlets, who if given time are building something special in west wales.

Lastly the impact of good fortune cannot be underestimated. Drawing an Italian side in the group tends to be a good start, the order of fixtures, injuries; the weather all plays a part. Because the aim in the group stages is to secure a home quarter final to be played at the teams’ home ground is critical, only 35% of the games at that stage of the competion have been won by the away side.

So for a Welsh region to win the tournament serious questions need to be asked, as there is no quick fix. The WRU, given the changes afoot for next season in the regional game, need to take the lead and act to make success in Europe a priority. Money would have to be spent on high quality recruitment and retention, the WRU would need to use its dual contract facility judiciously, coaches would need to be supported and lastly accept that a slice of good fortune would be needed.