By Zippy
September 25 2006

The Western Mail have started up an England vs Wales war. It started about a week ago and has since continued to gather momentum. For details read on.

It started over football, former Cardiff City defender Spencer Prior claimed that he was under extra pressure being an Englishman in Cardiff.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/0200news/tm_objectid=17796056%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html

Then in waded Andy Melville the former coach of Wasps and Gloucester:

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=17805236%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=coach%2dblasts%2d%2dhostile%2d%2dwelsh%2dfans-name_page.

And his full article in the Guardian:

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyunion/comment/0,,1878330,00.html

Zippy Comment:

Certainly there are some very hostile grounds in Wales, to take 2 at extreme ends of South Wales:

Llanelli are regarded as one of the most historic clubs of Wales with a fanatical following in old Stradey Park, however many people in Wales will testify that they are amongst the most one eyed supporters in Wales and when losing are not nice people to be around.

Newport's Rodney Parade is perhaps the most noisy ground in Wales and has been described as being as close to a football atmosphere as you'll experience in Wales. The language is often colourful.

Considering this raises a few questions:

- Are there more idiots than there should be at Welsh rugby grounds?

- Are they putting off families from buying season tickets?

- Are away fans not likely to make the trips after hearing the stories in the press.

- Is this something the WRU need to address?

Have your say on the messageboard:

http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s193.php?f=279&i=23254&t=23254&sid=193