Cash rich French teams continue to circle over the corpse
that is the Cardiff Blues squad, determined to take the opportunity to strip
the Grand Old Dame of Welsh club rugby of its juicy morsels. Alex Cuthbert gave
a gloriously non committal reply to the inevitable question after his man of
the match winning performance against Edinburgh, so we can assume he’s on his
velo, too. Bon voyage, and Welsh fans will truly wish him all the best. In such
an uncertain world, playing a game that is made up of potentially career ending
collisions, we can hardly blame him. But will he get enough game time at a
place like Toulon to learn his trade ? Hardly a concern for an old stager like
Gethin Jenkins – indeed, careful management of game time is just what a 30+ prop
needs – but a young player like Cuthbert needs game time He needs time reading
games, needs time (in his case particularly) under the high ball, chasing back,
covering kicks.
News that Big Phil Davies, one of the most highly regarded
coaches either side of Offa’s Dyke, is in the frame for the vacant Blues job
has to be good news for Welsh rugby. Although I don’t share the sense of doom
and gloom that accompanies the big money signings, it has to be acknowledged
that the National set up needs a strong Regional scene. The success of Gatland
and Edwards has to a large extent hinged on the Regions being able to expose young
players to a good playing environment. Big Phil’s reputation may do a great deal to
keep the Blues squad looking forward.
With “foreign” stars moving on, the Blues are looking closer
home for replacements – Jason Tovey from the Dragons is a sensible piece of
business, for example. Money is clearly tight. The move to the Arms Park – yet to
be confirmed, but obviously on the cards – would also make sense. The players
can’t be happy playing in front of vast empty stands as they are at the City
Stadium. They can always return there when the big Heineken games demand it.
The job now is to ensure that the Blues – and the other
Welsh regions – get to play those big games often enough.
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