By lestyn
January 17 2007

There is a certain degree of inevitability about French clubs pulling out of next seasons’ Heineken cup; few however few can begrudge it is symptomatic of something far bigger. All into todays' as usual irregular rugby shorts edition.

No smoke without fire
Club versus country is a battle which sometimes may still lead to the occasional conflict in Welsh rugby, but all out war looks on the horizon both across the border and the channel.

The Heineken cup is indicative of something that is union controlled and makes nowhere near as much money to what you would expect from European rugby’s premier rugby tournament, and in contrast to what they take home from domestic competition, Heineken rugby appears on very rocky ground at the moment.

Unless a miraculous deal equivalent to that of Rupert Murdoch’s News International appears out of nowhere, I have a feeling Welsh regions can wish goodbye to the biggest fillet in their season, for at least twelve months if not longer. Alternatively though it could all just be a case of the French throwing their toys out of the pram, this has been building for so I think it could have a lot more substance, especially with civil war brewing in England as well.

Usual Injury Crisis
Despite Gareth Thomas’s fitness levels looking back to where they should lat week for Toulouse in a rare start, Gyppo’s options ahead of Ireland in just over two week’s are looking fairly limited, especially at lock where Ian Evans’s World cup chances are even in the balance, whilst Robert Sidoli is yet to make his return after a few months on the sideline, a Cockbain-Gough partnership would be unlikely, hence Alun Wyn-Jones looks more likely as Wales’s new number five.

Jonathan Thomas was influential during the autumn, his absence could be telling unless Charvis proves up to the rigours of international rugby again. Lee Byrne has taken more significant steps forward this season and it would be a shame not to see if he can really make an impact in Welsh colours.

Ospreys Despair
An hour of lethargy followed by ten of majesty, that has been the story of the Ospreys season so-far, had they not taken Justin Marshall off, they may very well be heading up to Sale with a more than realistic chance of making it two Welsh sides in the Heineken cup quarter finals for the first time in seven years, not to be though, especially with Henson looking a shadow of his regal best.

Take Peel, Easterby, king and Stephen Jones out of the Scarlets side and I doubt they would be contemplating a home quarter-final draw, however to come through a group with Toulouse and Ulster in deserves a lot of credit. Without Martyn Williams Cardiff have shown themselves as being still being quite a considerable distance away from ever really threatening at European level.

Working with limited resources The Dragons have shown themselves as having plenty of fight, a true test will be whether or not they can win in Bayonne with a bonus point as well