These are your rugby headlines on Saturday, June 10.
Davies questions viability of four regions
Departing Welsh outside-half Sam Davies believes four regions are no longer viable in Welsh rugby.
In a wide-ranging interview with WalesOnline, the former Dragons and Ospreys player, who is joining Grenoble this summer, said the game was in trouble amid the financial issues that have hit the Welsh sides and seen three English teams go bust.
“I feel for the boys who haven’t got anything at the minute as I don’t feel there’s a time when the game has been on its knees as much as it is right now. It’s worrying for the game and obviously worrying for the boys who can’t get contracts as well,” he said.
READ MORE: Welsh rugby star Davies and his footballer fiancée launch another career as he leaves Wales
“I was at the Ospreys when we were told about the merger with the Scarlets. That never happened, but it was nothing like having a meeting at the Vale with the WRU (when players were called to meet bosses amid the threat of strike action ahead of Wales v England).
“It all came to a head this year where fortunately the WRPA started to do more work than it has in the past for us. We were able to gain a bit of traction with that.
“It would have been tough for the Union as they were being questioned by the players. It’s something that wouldn’t have happened before.
“It was good for the player’s union, but it’s not healthy. It’s not something you want to be doing. You don’t want it happening in the future, but you can’t help but feel that it won’t again.
“If they carry on as four, my opinion is that I don’t think they’ll be able to exist in the long term. It doesn’t seem as if it’s financially doable and it doesn’t seem like the teams can be competitive with the squad sizes they’ve got. I’d love to be wrong, but common sense says it isn’t viable.”
Earlier this week, WRU chief Nigel Walker told a committee of MPs cutting the number of regions was debated by rugby bosses following recommendations by an independent review, but the decision has been made to stick with four under the new six-year financial agreement signed by the Union, Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons.
Top-flight rugby could return to St Helen's
Top-flight rugby could be on its way back to Swansea's St Helen's ground.
The famous stadium, home of Swansea RFC, recently played host to the Barbarians who faced a home XV to mark the club's 150-year anniversary.
ITV report "ambitious plans" by Swansea Council are now being considered, which would see the authority team up with Swansea University and the Ospreys to develop a ‘Swansea Bay Sports Park’, which would see the stadium get an upgrade and could see the pitch moved and three stands built.
A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: “Swansea has a rich and proud sporting history and we are seeking to secure more world-leading sports facilities in Swansea.
“This will be for the benefit of local residents, students, visitors and a wide range of local and national sports organisations.
“We are continuing to work closely with Swansea University and other partners to explore the opportunities to create a Swansea Bay Sports Park.
“As part of this we are committed to enhancing and sustaining facilities for the wellbeing of current and future generations.
“The process is in its early stages and at this point we are looking to explore options. No decisions have been made and Consultation with residents and communities will take place as the process progresses.”
A spokesman for the Ospreys told ITV: “The Ospreys are always open to exploring new possibilities. The Ospreys home ground for the 23/24 season remains the Swansea.com Stadium.
“However, there is the potential to play certain games at alternative venues should there be a fixture clash with Swansea City. This is standard practice and will only be looked at once fixtures are confirmed.”
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Wales stars bid for silverware
Almost a team full of Wales internationals will be vying to further their bid for silverware this weekend when they turn out in the Premier 15s semi-finals.
England's top women's rugby domestic competition has reached the play-off stages, with runaway league winners Gloucester-Hartpury hosting neighbours Bristol Bears Women at Kingsholm on Saturday before a repeat of last year's final between reigning champions Saracens and Exeter Chiefs takes place at Sandy Park on Sunday.
Both games kick off at 3pm, with the winners progressing to the final on June 24 at the home of Gloucester Rugby.
Wales' Bethan Lewis starts at openside flanker for the Cherry and Whites alongside international teammates Kelsey Jones at hooker and Lleucu George pulling the strings at fly-half, with prop/second-row Sisilia Tuipulotu and wing Lisa Neumann on the bench.
Lining up for Bristol are fly-half Elinor Snowsill, scrum-half Keira Bevan and blindside flanker Alisha Butchers, with prop Gwenllian Pyrs and back-rower Bryonie King on the bench.
On Sunday, Wales forward Abbie Fleming starts at No. 6 for Exeter opposite Saracens' Georgia Evans in the same position, while fly-halves Robyn Wilkins and Flo Williams are named among the replacements for the Chiefs and Sarries respectively.
All of Wales Women's 25 full-time professional players, contracted by the Welsh Rugby Union, ply their club trade across the border in the Premier 15s, which offers top-class domestic rugby.
Ritchie: Scotland can beat any team
Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie believes they can beat any team in the world on their day.
Gregor Townsend's men head into the Rugby World Cup fifth in the world rankings and have been drawn in the same pool as Ireland and South Africa in France.
Facing the teams ranked first and fourth on the planet is a daunting task for any side, let alone one which struggles for consistency at the highest level.
But Ritchie feels there were signs in the latest Six Nations - especially against France - which point towards a confidence that an 80-minute performance can trouble any side.
“We had a pretty successful Six Nations,” the Edinburgh man said. “Beforehand, if you had asked anyone outwith the group if they would have taken outright third behind arguably the best two teams in the world, they probably would have said yes.
“The France game is the one that hurts the most, because arguably we were the better team on the day. We just didn’t quite get it right at the start of the game and at the end.
“We need to put a full performance together. A complete performance. We’ve shown over the last couple of seasons that on our day if we play our best rugby, we can beat anyone in the world and be a better team than anyone in the world.
“You saw that against France, when we were all over them for 60 minutes of the game. If we can turn that into an 80-minute performance, we are going to cause these teams who are supposedly some of the best in the world a lot of problems.”
READ MORE:
The new Wales World Cup pecking order as exits hit and one position decided already
Gatland backed to defy doubters amid turmoil and Wales lock lands coaching role
'Gutted' Wales international announces he's quit World Cup squad in new blow for Gatland
