Welsh rugby needs ‘full shake-up’ – Thorburn

In light of the significant issues surrounding the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) of the Welsh Rugby Union, Paul Thorburn believes Welsh rugby needs a “full shake-up.”

Following confirmation that Scarlets and Ospreys chose not to play for Cardiff and Dragons in signing the new deal, the nation’s four regions are currently divided.

Thorburn, 62, a former Wales captain, believes that the WRU must have regional dominance to restore the team’s success.

“I think the governing body needs a little shake-up in terms of how it runs the professional game,” says the governing body.

Wales face Japan on July 5 and 12, in a bid to end a string of 17 successive Test defeats, which is the worst in its history.

This year, Scarlets were the only Welsh side to reach the United Rugby Championship play-offs, which has also been a struggle.

Thorburn, a former Wales full-back who won 37 caps between 1985 and 1991, insists that axing a region is necessary if doing so benefits the game in Wales.

In the end, if cutting a region is what is needed for the future and the sustainability of international rugby and the game in general, Thorburn said, “so be it.”

Let’s put all of these antiquated stereotypes aside, he said, and let’s figure out what will best help sustain international rugby and help it develop.