Former Cardiff coach John Mulvihill believes the Welsh Rugby Union has made it "very, very difficult" for Wales' four pro clubs to cut costs while remaining competitive, as he tipped the Dragons to do well next season.
Mulvihill is taking charge of the Barbarians as they take on Swansea RFC at St Helen's on Wednesday to mark the Welsh side's 150th anniversary season. While this match caps a landmark season for the All Whites, the financial uncertainty which has overshadowed the professional game has made it a difficult campaign for most.
Trying to bring down wages when some players still have time left on existing contracts has made life difficult for all sides, with Mulvihill's old side Cardiff in particular being stung. With budgets coming down, the Arms Park side has seen plenty of established talent leave as the club struggled to offer competitive contracts as costs were cut.
During the Six Nations, a dozen Cardiff players were told the most they could be offered was £30,000. As such, 16 players, several of whom played under Mulvihill, departed at the end of the season.
One is Lloyd Williams, a club stalwart and a player who will feature for the Barbarians under Mulvihill in Swansea. Meanwhile, Cardiff head into pre-season short on numbers as they embark on a season in the Champions Cup.
Still living in Cardiff, Mulvihill has been keeping a close eye on the situation and believes the decision to cut costs so rapidly when there were still contractual obligations was a "pretty harsh" one.
"I still live in Wales," he said. "I live just up the road and I see boys from the Dragons, Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff. What they've gone through is pretty tough for them. It's probably as bad as it's been, but you've still got to wake up in the morning, put a jersey on and go and play. They're doing a job they love doing, so now they just need to go out and play.
"I just think the WRU made it very, very difficult to turn things around within one season. If there was a plan that we've got to get to £4.5million [regional playing budgets] in two or so years, they'd be able to do that. It's pretty harsh. Those are the rules they're under and the boys and clubs will do their best."
It all begs the question of whether the four professional sides will be able to be competitive moving forward. With money tighter and squads reduced to the point that some of the regions training against each other is on the cards, it's hard to see much of a turnaround. However, Mulvihill believes there could be positives within the adversity, while Wales' traditional basement side could show signs of improvement next year.
"I think the Dragons are going to have a really good year next season," he added. "They've got some really good signings coming through. Look, if you put a Welshman in a jersey, it doesn't matter if they're underdogs, they'll have a decent crack. I'm looking forward to seeing them perform. You saw Cardiff do really well with an understrength team in the Heineken Cup last year. I'm looking forward to young kids having a crack and enjoying their rugby."
READ NEXT:
Popular Wales international to play final match in 24 hours as he starts new path
Wales international moves to England and Tipuric announcement a 'massive shock'
Alun Wyn Jones to play for hometown club once more as coach expects him to carry on
Wales international to meet with coaches to understand why he's been dropped
